TicketSmarter WAC Volleyball Players of the Week Announced
DENVER – Tarleton outside hitter Carmen Kinsey and California Baptist Libero Paige Johnstone have been named the Western Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Volleyball Players of the Week, respectively, for the week of Oct. 11 through Oct. 17. Additionally, Utah Valley's Natalie Palmer has earned Freshman of the Week honors.
Kinsey, a senior from Norman, Okla., turned in a pair of dominant performances to lead the Texans to a perfect 2-0 record on the week. In back-to-back home matches, Kinsey combined to average 3.57 kills per set on .490 hitting while recording no errors. Her week was highlighted by a 17-kill outing in a four-set victory over Abilene Christian on Saturday. Against the Wildcats, Kinsey posted a .500 hitting percentage to account for 4.5 points per set.
Johnstone, a junior from Murrieta, Calif., helped lead the Lancers to back-to-back sweeps of Seattle U last week as she tallied 35 total digs from the Libero position. Johnstone averaged 5.83 digs per set across six sets, including a 20-dig performance in Saturday's win. Johnstone has recorded 20 digs or more three times this season while eclipsing double-digit digs in 13 of 17 matches.
Palmer, a setter from Highland, Ariz., averaged a double-double over two victories against in-state rival Dixie State. In a five-set thriller on Thursday, Palmer finished with 15 assists and a career-best 15 digs to help the Wolverines complete the comeback. On the week, Palmer averaged 3.25 assists per set and 2.75 digs per set while adding four service aces and three kills.
Other offensive nominees included: Abilene Christian's Lindsey Toney combined for an astounding 8.33 kills per set in the Wildcats' lone match of the week… California Baptist's Anouk van Noord averaged 2.83 kills per set on .483 hitting to help lead the Lancers to an undefeated week… Grand Canyon's Klaire Mitchell finished the week averaging 9.00 assists per set while posting back-to-back double-doubles for the Lopes… Lamar's Amber Johnson notched 2.43 kills per set on .394 hitting across two matches last week… NM State's Katie Birtcil paced the Aggies with 4.78 kills per set while adding seven service aces for the West Division leaders… Stephen F. Austin's Valeria Rosado rounded out the week with 15 total kills to average 3.9 points per set… UT Rio Grande Valley's Sarah Cruz managed 20 total kills in a five-set win over Sam Houston to help propel the Vaqueros into second place in the WAC's Southwest Division… Utah Valley's Abbie Miller averaged 6.00 assists per set in a pair of wins over Dixie State in the Old Hammer Rivalry.
Other defensive nominees included: Dixie State's Kate Hardy tallied 17 total blocks, including five solo stops in the Trailblazers' two matches against Utah Valley… Grand Canyon's Teagan DeFalco totaled 21 digs and added seven assists to help lead the Lopes past NM State… Lamar's Giselle Santini combined for 36 total digs across seven sets last week… NM State's Katie Birtcil helped the Aggies pick up a home victory over Grand Canyon on Thursday, finishing with 11 digs and a trio of blocks… Stephen F. Austin's Leah Powell produced a team-high and season-high 22 digs in the Ladyjacks four-set win over Lamar on Saturday… Tarleton's Lorin McNeil posted nine total blocks as she continues to lead the WAC in total blocks with 81 on the season… UT Rio Grande Valley's Maria Eduarda Rodrigues managed a career-high seven blocks in a five-set win over Sam Houston on Saturday… Utah Valley's Bryton Bishop averaged 4.50 digs per set last week, including a team-high 25 digs in Thursday's win over Dixie State.
Other freshman nominees included: California Baptist's Laura Walewska produced 10 total kills on .600 hitting in a pair of sweeps last week… Grand Canyon's McKenzie Wise led the Lopes with 18 kills in a huge win over NM State on Saturday… Lamar's Paige Dugan led the Cardinals last week offensively with 3.57 kills per set to go along with 3.29 digs per set… Stephen F. Austin's Valeria Rosado recorded a double-double in a winning effort against Lamar, totaling 15 kills and 14 digs… Tarleton's Trinity Vinzant averaged 14.5 points per set in a pair of wins last week as she notched nine kills, four aces, three assists and three blocks… UT Rio Grande Valley's Luanna Emiliano recorded a career-high 18 digs while adding 43 total assists to help the Vaqueros hand Sam Houston its first WAC loss of the season.