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 Nov. 4-10. UNCG outside hitter Allie Sweet was named the Offensive Player of the Week and Wofford middle blocker Annemarie Rakoski was named Defensive Player of the Week, while The Citadel’s Belle Hogan was tabbed Setter of the Week. The players of the week are selected by the league office.

Sweet, who also won the honor on Sept. 2, averaged 5.71 kills per set in UNCG’s two matches last week. In a four-set setback against Chattanooga on Nov. 8, the freshman had 17 kills, nine digs, one assist and an ace. The next day versus Western Carolina, the native of Woodstock, Georgia, recorded 23 kills, which is her highest output in a SoCon match this season, 13 digs, two aces and a block. Sweet currently leads the SoCon in kills (413).

Rakoski anchored the Wofford defense at the net, averaging 2.00 blocks per set as the Terriers went 1-1 last week. The Atlanta, Georgia, native logged a career-high nine blocks, four of which were solo, and four kills in a sweep of Western Carolina on Nov. 8. The following day, the junior finished with nine blocks, six kills and a dig in a four-set setback versus ETSU. Rakoski is currently third in the conference in total blocks (102).

Hogan paced The Citadel offense, averaging 12 assists per set as the Bulldogs picked up a pair of four-set conference wins last week. On Nov. 8, the senior had 48 assists, nine digs, three aces, two blocks and a kill against ETSU. The product of Fort Wayne, Indiana, finished with a double-double the next day, logging 48 assists, 16 digs, three kills, one ace and a block against Chattanooga.

UNCG (7-19, 2-12 SoCon) concludes its regular season at Samford (13-11, 7-7) on Nov. 15, and at Mercer (22-5, 12-2) on Nov. 16. Wofford (19-7, 11-3) plays at Mercer on Nov. 15. A win for Mercer in that contest will give the Bears the regular season crown and the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament. The Terriers play at Furman (12-11, 6-6) on Nov. 16. The Citadel (14-11, 8-6) travels to Furman on Nov. 15, before heading to Samford on Nov. 16.

Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Ali Ruffin (The Citadel), Jenna Forster (ETSU), Ava Augustson (Furman), Skye Ekes (Mercer), Kynli Kirkendoll (Chattanooga), Ali Morris (Western Carolina) and Sarah MacLean (Wofford)
 
Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Jaelynn Elgert (The Citadel), Whitley Rammel (ETSU), Kennedy Seekford (Furman), MeMe Davis (Mercer), Chloe Nussbaum (UNCG), Chard'e Vanzandt (Chattanooga) and Eda Yalçinkaya (Western Carolina)
 
Also nominated for setter of the week: Emily Navarro (Furman), Brooke Phillips (Mercer), Izora Gragg (UNCG), Elaine Redman (Chattanooga), Katie Boney (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

Oct. 7               Kaleigh Meritt, R-So., OH, Samford  

Oct. 14             Chard'e Vanzandt, Sr., OH, Chattanooga 

Oct. 21             Gracie Lynn Butler, R-So., OH, Samford

Oct. 28             Skyler Bumpers, Sr., MB, Mercer

Nov. 4              Sophie Childs, Gr., OH, The Citadel 

Nov. 11             Allie Sweet, Fr., OH, UNCG   

 
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

Oct. 7               Jaelynn Elgert, Gr., LIB, The Citadel

Oct. 14             Peri Hoshock, So., MB, The Citadel

Oct. 21             Jaelynn Elgert, Gr., LIB, The Citadel

Oct. 28             Abbey Thomas, Sr., MB, ETSU

Nov. 4              Jaelynn Elgert, Gr., LIB, The Citadel

Nov. 11             Annemarie Rakoski, Jr., MB, 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 

Oct. 7               Lexi Thatcher, So., Samford 

Oct. 14             Elaine Redman, Sr., Chattanooga  

Oct. 21             Lexi Thatcher, So., Samford 

Oct. 28             Brooke Phillips, Gr., Mercer 

Nov. 4              Brooke Phillips, Gr., Mercer 

Nov. 11             Belle Hogan, Sr., The Citadel