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 Oct. 7-13. Chattanooga outside hitter Chard'e Vanzandt was named the Offensive Player of the Week and The Citadel middle blocker Peri Hoshock was named Defensive Player of the Week, while the Mocs’ Elaine Redman was tabbed Setter of the Week. The players of the week are selected by the league office.

Vanzandt averaged 4.08 kills per set last week as Chattanooga went 2-1. The Houston, Texas, product had eight kills and a pair of blocks in a sweep of Alabama A&M on Oct. 8. Three days later, Vanzandt logged a career-high 27 kills in a five-set setback against The Citadel. She also had four digs and two blocks against the Bulldogs. The senior completed her week with 14 kills, two digs and five blocks on Oct. 12 in a four-set win over UNCG. Vanzandt is currently third in the SoCon in total kills (235).

Hoshock anchored The Citadel defense at the net last week, logging 17 total blocks as the Bulldogs went 1-1. The sophomore recorded seven blocks, four of which were solo, and six digs in a four-set defeat at ETSU on Oct. 11. The next day, the native of Lake Stevens, Washington, finished with a career-best 10 blocks, three digs and a kill in a five-set win at Chattanooga. Hoshock became The Citadel’s second straight weekly winner, joining teammate Jaelynn Elgert who got the award a week ago.

Redman paced the Chattanooga offense, averaging 11.17 assists per set for the Mocs last week. Against Alabama A&M, the senior had 31 assists, seven digs and one kill. In the contest with The Citadel, Redman logged a career-high 57 assists, 21 digs, which is one less than her career-best in that category, four blocks and an ace. The Chattanooga, Tennessee, native finished her week with 46 assists, five digs, five blocks and five kills versus UNCG. Redman won her eighth SoCon weekly award, which in one away from tying the conference’s record for career player of the week awards in volleyball.

Chattanooga (10-9, 1-4 SoCon) hosts ETSU (10-7, 2-3) on Oct. 17, and Western Carolina (7-10, 1-3) on Oct. 18. The Citadel (9-8, 3-3) welcomes Samford (11-5, 5-1) on Oct. 18, and Furman (7-7, 1-2) on Oct. 19.

Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Mackenzie Martin (The Citadel), Skye Ekes (Mercer), Emily Hanlon (UNCG), Kaleigh Meritt (Samford) and Sarah MacLean (Wofford)
 
Also nominated for defensive player of the week: MeMe Davis (Mercer), Chloe Nussbaum (UNCG), Kate Morgan (Samford), Paige Gallentine (Chattanooga) and Laney Klika (Wofford)
 
Also nominated for setter of the week: Lydia Larson (The Citadel), 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 
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 

 
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

  
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