DENVER ? New Mexico State middle hitter Amber Simpson has been named the Western Athletic Conference Volleyball Player of the Week for the week of Sept. 11. This is the third career WAC Player of the Week for the sophomore, having been named player of the week twice last season.
The Quincy, Ill. (Quincy) native, led the Aggies to the Hilton Las Cruces Classic title, Sept. 7-9. Simpson was named tournament most valuable player after a .500 hitting percentage, 53 kills and 27 blocks. The sophomore had a career-high 21 kills and match-high six blocks in the tournament opener against Wyoming, Sept. 7. Simpson recorded nine kills and seven blocks versus Idaho before she posted a season-high eight blocks along with 13 kills in the five-game victory over San Diego, Sept. 8. In the conclusion of the Hilton Las Cruces Classic, Simpson had 10 kills and a career-high five digs against Akron, Sept. 9. Simpson leads the Aggies in hitting percentage (.467) and blocks (55).
Other nominees included: Cameron Flunder of Boise State was named to the NAU Fiesta Bowl all-tournament team after hitting .400 with 42 kills in three matches ... Sarah Mason of Hawai?i averaged 4.40 kills per game and 1.10 service aces per game at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Challenge ... Erin Curtis of Idaho had 12 kills in two matches along with eight block assists ... Karly Sipherd of Nevada had 45 kills and hit .269 for the Wolf Pack last week... Niki Clement of San Jose State was MVP of the New Hampshire Tournament, averaging 3.54 kpg ... Halley Johnson of Utah State had 18 kills and nine digs in four matches.