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 Sept. 23-29. Western Carolina outside hitter Ali Morris was named the Offensive Player of the Week and Wofford libero Laney Klika was named Defensive Player of the Week, while Mercer’s Brooke Phillips was tabbed Setter of the Week. The players of the week are selected by the league office.

Morris had a career night for Western Carolina as the Catamounts outlasted The Citadel in a five-set thriller last Wednesday. The Knoxville, Tennessee, native logged career highs in kills (25) and digs (26) in the match, marking the seventh double-double of her season. The junior, who also had two blocks and an assist in the contest, became the first Catamount to eclipse 25 kills in a match since 2021.
 
Klika, who won the honor for the second straight week, anchored the Terrier defense, averaging 7.71 digs per set as Wofford won two matches last week. The sophomore had a career-high 36 digs and 10 assists in a four-set victory versus Chattanooga on Thursday. The 36 digs marked a program record for a four-set match, which was a part of the Terriers’ program of 115 total digs as a team. One day later, the product of Novelty, Ohio, picked up another 18 digs in a sweep of Samford. Klika is currently second in the SoCon in digs (284).  

Phillips, who also won the honor on Sept. 16, paced the Mercer offense in a four-set win at The Citadel on Saturday. The graduate student finished the match with 48 assists and 12 digs. The native of Indianapolis, Indiana, recorded four kills, four aces and a block in the contest as well. Phillips is currently second in the NCAA in service aces (42).

Western Carolina (7-7, 1-0 SoCon) travels to Samford (7-5, 1-1) on Oct. 4, and Furman (7-5, 1-0) on Oct. 5. Wofford (10-4, 2-0), who is on a five-match winning streak, plays at UNCG (5-9, 0-2) on Oct. 4, and at The Citadel (6-7,0-2) on Oct. 5. Mercer (11-3, 1-0) hosts ETSU (9-4, 1-0) on Oct. 4, and Chattanooga (8-7, 0-2) on Oct. 5.

Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Sophie Childs (The Citadel), Jenna Forster (ETSU), Ava Augustson (Furman), Skye Ekes (Mercer), Allie Sweet (UNCG), Kaleigh Meritt (Samford), Sydney Jackwin (Chattanooga) and Mary Emily Morgan (Wofford)
 
Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Ali Ruffin (The Citadel), Kennedy Seekford (Furman), MeMe Davis (Mercer), Chloe Nussbaum (UNCG), Kate Morgan (Samford), Paige Gallentine (Chattanooga) and Bailey Hartsough (Western Carolina)
 
Also nominated for setter of the week: Belle Hogan (The Citadel), Reese Rhodes (ETSU), Quinn Morrissey (Furman) Izora Gragg (UNCG), Lexi Thatcher (Samford), Elaine Redman (Chattanooga), Sarah Janourova (Western Carolina) and Taylor Pecht (Wofford)

2024 SoCon Volleyball Offensive Players of the Week 
Sept. 2             Allie Sweet, Fr., OH, UNCG 
Sept. 9             Bradley Brown, Fr., MB, Wofford 

Sept. 16            Skye Ekes, Sr., OH, Mercer

Sept. 23            Ali Ruffin, Sr., OH, The Citadel 

Sept. 30            Ali Morris, Jr., OH, Western Carolina  

 
2024 SoCon Volleyball Defensive Players of the Week 
Sept. 2             MeMe Davis, Fr., L/DS, Mercer

Sept. 9             Kynli Kirkendoll, Fr., MB, Chattanooga
Sept. 16            Janelle Blue, Jr., MB, Western Carolina 

Sept. 23            Laney Klika, So., LIB, Wofford

Sept. 30            Laney Klika, So., LIB, Wofford

  
2024 SoCon Volleyball Setters of the Week 
Sept. 2             Elaine Redman, Sr., Chattanooga 

Sept. 9             Elaine Redman, Sr., Chattanooga 

Sept. 16            Brooke Phillips, Gr., Mercer 

Sept. 23            Reese Rhodes, Gr., ETSU 

Sept. 30            Brooke Phillips, Gr., Mercer