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. 16-22. The Citadel outside hitter Ali Ruffin was named the Offensive Player of the Week and Wofford libero Laney Klika was named Defensive Player of the Week, while ETSU’s Reese Rhodes was tabbed Setter of the Week. The players of the week are selected by the league office.
 
Ruffin averaged 3.80 kills per set as the Bulldogs went 3-0 at the Jacksonville Invitational over the weekend. On Friday, the senior had a double-double in a sweep of Jacksonville, finishing with 16 kills, 10 digs, four blocks and an ace. Later that day, Ruffin recorded seven kills, 10 digs and an ace in a three-set victory over Bethune-Cookman. In the weekend finale on Saturday against Columbia, the native of Greenville, North Carolina, logged 15 kills, 11 digs, an assist and an ace in the team’s four-set win.

Klika anchored the Wofford defense, averaging 4.85 digs per set as the Terriers won three matches last week. The Novelty, Ohio, product began the week with her first career double-double, logging 20 digs and 14 assists in the team’s five-set win over 15th-ranked Tennessee on Sept. 16. The victory was Wofford’s first win over a ranked team in program history. On Thursday, the sophomore had 15 digs in a sweep of South Carolina State. Two days later, Klika finished with a season-high 28 digs and two aces in a five-set triumph over Valparaiso. Klika was named to the All-Tournament Team of the Terrier Invite for her play against SC State and Valparaiso.

Rhodes paced the ETSU offense during the Queens City Invitational over the weekend as the Bucs picked up three victories. In a five-set win against North Carolina Central on Friday, the graduate student had a season-high 53 assists,11 digs, five kills, three blocks and two aces. Later that day, the Waco, Texas, native finished with 46 assists, six kills, six digs and two blocks in a four-set win versus Charlotte. Rhodes closed her week with 33 assists, nine digs, five kills and two blocks as ETSU swept Queens on Saturday. Following the tournament, Rhodes was named the Queen City Invitational MVP.

The Citadel (6-5) opens conference play this week, hosting Western Carolina (6-7) on Sept. 25, and Mercer (10-3) on Sept. 28. Wofford (8-4) welcomes Chattanooga (8-5) on Sept. 26 and Samford (6-4) on Sept. 27. ETSU (8-4) plays against UNCG (5-7) on Sept. 26 and Furman (6-5) on Sept. 27.

Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Abbey Thomas (ETSU), Ava Augustson (Furman), Madeline Timmerman (UNCG), Kaleigh Meritt (Samford), Chard'e Vanzandt (Chattanooga), Logan Carr (Western Carolina) and Sarah MacLean (Wofford)
 
Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Peri Hoshock (The Citadel), Melanie Morris (ETSU), America Anderson (UNCG), Kate Morgan (Samford), Marcelle Baez-Carlo (Chattanooga) and Janelle Blue (Western Carolina)
 
Also nominated for setter of the week: Greta Pleuss (The Citadel), Izora Gragg (UNCG), Lexi Thatcher (Samford), Elaine Redman (Chattanooga), Sarah Janourova (Western Carolina) and Maddy Frazier (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 

 
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

  
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