SoCon volleyball players of the week announced

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference named its volleyball players of the week on Monday for matches played Aug. 30-Sept. 1. UNCG outside hitter Allie Sweet was named the Offensive Player of the Week and Mercer libero/defensive specialist MeMe Davis was named Defensive Player of the Week, while Chattanooga’s Elaine Redman was tabbed Setter of the Week. The players of the week are selected by the league office.
 
Sweet averaged 4.69 kills per set as UNCG opened the season 2-1 in the Spartan Classic. The Spartans defeated Robert Morris in four sets in the season opener on Friday, dropped a five-set match to Missouri State later that day before defeating USC Upstate in four frames on Saturday. The freshman logged 27 kills, six digs and three blocks in her collegiate debut against Robert Morris. The Woodstock, Georgia, native had 18 kills and nine digs in the team’s contest with Missouri State before registering her first double-double in the tournament finale against USC Upstate, finishing with 16 kills and 11 digs. Sweet became the Spartans’ first conference player of the week recipient since Gabriela McHugh received the honor on Aug. 29, 2022.

Davis, a freshman, anchored the Mercer defense as the Bears began their season 3-0 during the UNF Invitational in Jacksonville, Florida. The product of Gainesville, Florida, recorded 16 digs, two assists and two aces in the team’s season-opening four-set win over Quinnipiac on Friday. The next day, Davis had another 16 digs, one kill and an ace in a sweep of Rhode Island. Later that day, the freshman logged 19 digs, six assists, four aces and a kill in the squad’s five-set victory over North Florida.

Redman paced Chattanooga’s offensive effort during the Betty Austin Invitational in Huntsville, Alabama, leading the Mocs to a 3-1 record. The senior logged a double-double in the team’s season-opener against Southern Illinois on Friday, finishing with 28 assists and 11 digs. On Saturday, Redman had 52 assists, 11 digs, five kills and two aces in a four-set win against Oral Roberts. Later that day, the Chattanooga, Tennessee, native contributed 30 assists, three kills and a block in a sweep of Idaho. In the finale of the tournament, Redman recorded 38 assists, seven digs and a career-high five aces in the team’s sweep of Alabama A&M.

UNCG (2-1) travels to Elon, North Carolina, for the Elon Invitational on Sept. 6-7, facing North Carolina Central, Murray State and host Elon. Mercer (3-0) hosts Maryland Eastern Shore on Sept. 4, before going to the High Point Invitational on Sept. 7-8, playing Ohio and High Point in the event. Chattanooga (3-1) hosts the Chattanooga Classic on Sept. 6-7, taking on Tennessee State, Charleston Southern and Belmont during the tournament.
 
Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Mackenzie Martin (The Citadel), Chandler Parker (Furman), Skye Ekes (Mercer), Kaleigh Meritt (Samford), Sydney Jackwin (Chattanooga) and Sarah MacLean (Wofford)
 
Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Aaliyah Byers (The Citadel), Kennedy Seekford (Furman), Madeline Timmerman (UNCG), Kate Morgan (Samford), Chard'e Vanzandt (Chattanooga) and Annemarie Rakoski (Wofford)
 
Also nominated for setter of the week: Belle Hogan (The Citadel), Reese Rhodes (ETSU), Emily Navarro (Furman), Brooke Phillips (Mercer), Izora Gragg (UNCG), Lexi Thatcher (Samford), and Taylor Pecht (Wofford)

2024 SoCon Volleyball Offensive Players of the Week 
Sept. 2             Allie Sweet, Fr., OH, UNCG 
 
2024 SoCon Volleyball Defensive Players of the Week 
Sept. 2             MeMe Davis, Fr., L/DS, Mercer
 
2024 SoCon Volleyball Setters of the Week 
Sept. 2             Elaine Redman, Sr., Chattanooga