This Week in WAC Volleyball - March 4
This Week in WAC Volleyball - March 4
TARLETON'S KERSEY AND UTAH VALLEY'S JARDINE NAMED WAC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Tarleton junior right-side hitter Lauren Kersey and Utah Valley senior defensive specialist Seren Jardine have been named the Western Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Volleyball Players of the Week, respectively, for the week of Feb. 24 through March 2.
Kersey, a native of Moore, Oklahoma, averaged 4.00 kills on .378 hitting this week as she led the Texans to a perfect 4-0 record last week. Kersey recorded double-digit kills in each of Tarleton's victories last week, highlighted by a season-high 17 kills on 30 swings in a three-set win over Chicago State on Monday. She was also dominant on Thursday, posting 16 kills while hitting .500 as Tarleton took down Big 12 foe TCU in four sets. On the season, Kersey ranks inside the top-8 among WAC hitters in both hitting percentage and kills per set.
Jardine, a native of Orem, Utah, finished the week averaging 6.88 digs per set as she helped lead the Wolverines to a sweep of Dixie State in the Old Hammer Rivalry. On Monday, Jardine posted a career-high 37 digs to lead UVU in its five-set comeback win. She then led Utah Valley with 18 digs on Tuesday to complete the sweep of the Trailblazers. On the season, Jardine ranks sixth in the WAC in digs per set (4.73).
Other offensive nominees included: California Baptist's Cali Hoye averaged 4.33 kills per set for the week on top of posting three service aces in CBU's three-set win over UT Rio Grande Valley on Tuesday… Chicago State's Yanlis Feliz averaged 4.00 kills per set as she notched 17 total kills in the Cougars' home series against Tarleton… UT Rio Grande Valley's Mackenzie Coates recorded a season-high six kills while also posting 11.33 assists per set in the Vaqueros' three-set win over California Baptist… Utah Valley's Tori Darius had a pair of impressive performances against Dixie State, highlighted by a Tuesday in which she finished with eight kills on .471 hitting.
Other defensive nominees included: California Baptist's Ellie Voss finished the week averaging 1.67 blocks per set as she posted 10 total blocks in just six sets during the Lancers series with UT Rio Grande Valley… Tarleton's Ana Costas averaged 5.47 digs per set last week, including a monster 34-dig outing in the Texans' five-set win over Chicago State on Tuesday… UT Rio Grande Valley's Sarah Cruz averaged 1.17 blocks per set last week as she collected a season-high five blocks in Monday's win over California Baptist.
WAC STAT LEADERS
Entering week five, unbeaten NM State continues to dominate at the net as they lead the WAC in hitting percentage (.333), opponent hitting percentage (.120), kills (15.03) and blocks (2.73). The Aggies also lead the conference in assists (13.83). Meanwhile, Utah Valley sits atop the league in service aces (1.76) and Grand Canyon paces the conference in digs (18.92).
Individually, Grand Canyon's Yeny Murillo leads the WAC in kills (4.69) and points per set (5.00). Fellow Lopes Klaire Mitchell and K.J. Adams have also been impressive as Mitchell records the most assists per set at 11.42 and Adams leads the conference in digs (5.38). NM State's Lia Mosher holds the top hitting percentage (.405) while Tarleton has the league's top blocker in Lorin McNeil as she averages 1.33 blocks per set. Lastly, California Baptist's Tesa Oaks and Utah Valley's Bryton Bishop share the lead for most service aces per set at 0.62.
KERSEY NAMED AVCA NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Tarleton's Lauren Kersey was named the Sports Imports/AVCA Division I Women's Player of the Week for the week of Feb. 24 through March 2. Kersey became just the fourth player in Texan volleyball history to win the award, and the first Division I program.
On the week, Kersey averaged 4.00 kills per set on .378 hitting as she led the Texans to a perfect 4-0 week. The junior posted double-digit kills in each of Tarleton's victories, highlighted by a season-high 17 kills on 30 swings in a three-set win over Chicago State on Monday.
HISTORIC DAY FOR LIPSCOMB, AGGIES
In NM State's impressive win over Seattle U, the Aggies set the school record for hitting percentage in a three-set match (.554). Shaney Lipscomb led the way as she set the program record for individual hitting percentage in a three-set match (1.000). The Aggies finished the day with 46 kills as Lipscomb claimed 14 kills of her own.
MILOJEVIC SCORES 100TH ACE
Seattle U's Tijana Milojevic notched her 100th ace last night in the Redhawks' road match with NM State. This season Milojevic currently ranks fifth in the WAC in service aces per set (0.40) and has recorded 10 aces this season, giving her exactly 100 for her career.
WAC AMONG NATION'S BEST
Undefeated NM State ranks inside the top-10 among Division I schools in a trio of team categories. The Aggies rank fourth in assists per set (13.83), fourth in hitting percentage (.333) and fifth in kills per set (15.03).
Individually, the Aggies' Shaney Lipscomb posted a perfect hitting percentage, making her one of only two players this season to finish with a 1.000 hitting percentage for a single match (min. 10 attempts).
Meanwhile, Chicago State's Berenice Almeyda ranks seventh in attacks per set (12.71).
Additionally, Tarleton's Ana Costas racked up 27 digs in the Texans' three-set win over Seattle U on Feb. 9. This season, only six DI players have recorded more digs in a three-set match.
MIKE JORDAN CAPTURES WIN NO. 500
NM State Head Coach Mike Jordan earned his 500th career win as the Aggies took down California Baptist in three sets on Feb. 22. The Aggies are currently 8-0 and are riding a 28-match win streak in conference play. Jordan has been at the helm for NM State since 1998 and has led the Aggies to five WAC regular-season titles and seven NCAA tournaments during his tenure.
MIKELS REACHES 2,000 ASSISTS
NM State's Natalie Mikels recorded her 2,000th career assist in an Aggie uniform on Feb. 16 against GCU. The senior setter from Jenks, Okla., posted 20 assists against the Lopes to join the 2,000-assist club. She currently has 167 assists on the year, giving her 2,037 assists for her career.
TANUVASA JOINS 1,000 KILL CLUB
Utah Valley's Kazna Tanuvasa placed herself among elite company as she tallied her 1,000th kill as a Wolverine. The junior outside hitter eclipsed the mark after recording 18 kills against No. 16 BYU, giving her 1,007 for her career. With 119 total kills on the season, she now sits at 1,092 in just her junior year at UVU.
DIXIE STATE, TARLETON SHINE IN DI DEBUTS
It was apparent that both Dixie State and Tarleton were ready for the jump as both squads dominated in their Division I debuts. The Trailblazers took down Southern Utah in straight sets, winning 25-18, 25-21, 26-24. Meanwhile, the Texans also won in three sets, taking down Louisiana Tech in just three sets (25-21, 25-23, 25-16) in their season opener.
SPRING 2021 WAC TOURNAMENT
The Spring 2021 WAC Volleyball Tournament will be held April 1-3 at the Pan American Center in Las Cruces, N.M. and will include all six eligible teams.
2020 NCAA TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
The NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship 48-team bracket will be announced Sunday, April 4. The bracket will consist of 32 automatic qualifiers and 16 at-large teams. The final site of the 2020 NCAA Championship will be the CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, Neb. Semifinals will be held April 22 while the championship will be held on April 24.
TARLETON'S KERSEY AND UTAH VALLEY'S JARDINE NAMED WAC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Tarleton junior right-side hitter Lauren Kersey and Utah Valley senior defensive specialist Seren Jardine have been named the Western Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Volleyball Players of the Week, respectively, for the week of Feb. 24 through March 2.
Kersey, a native of Moore, Oklahoma, averaged 4.00 kills on .378 hitting this week as she led the Texans to a perfect 4-0 record last week. Kersey recorded double-digit kills in each of Tarleton's victories last week, highlighted by a season-high 17 kills on 30 swings in a three-set win over Chicago State on Monday. She was also dominant on Thursday, posting 16 kills while hitting .500 as Tarleton took down Big 12 foe TCU in four sets. On the season, Kersey ranks inside the top-8 among WAC hitters in both hitting percentage and kills per set.
Jardine, a native of Orem, Utah, finished the week averaging 6.88 digs per set as she helped lead the Wolverines to a sweep of Dixie State in the Old Hammer Rivalry. On Monday, Jardine posted a career-high 37 digs to lead UVU in its five-set comeback win. She then led Utah Valley with 18 digs on Tuesday to complete the sweep of the Trailblazers. On the season, Jardine ranks sixth in the WAC in digs per set (4.73).
Other offensive nominees included: California Baptist's Cali Hoye averaged 4.33 kills per set for the week on top of posting three service aces in CBU's three-set win over UT Rio Grande Valley on Tuesday… Chicago State's Yanlis Feliz averaged 4.00 kills per set as she notched 17 total kills in the Cougars' home series against Tarleton… UT Rio Grande Valley's Mackenzie Coates recorded a season-high six kills while also posting 11.33 assists per set in the Vaqueros' three-set win over California Baptist… Utah Valley's Tori Darius had a pair of impressive performances against Dixie State, highlighted by a Tuesday in which she finished with eight kills on .471 hitting.
Other defensive nominees included: California Baptist's Ellie Voss finished the week averaging 1.67 blocks per set as she posted 10 total blocks in just six sets during the Lancers series with UT Rio Grande Valley… Tarleton's Ana Costas averaged 5.47 digs per set last week, including a monster 34-dig outing in the Texans' five-set win over Chicago State on Tuesday… UT Rio Grande Valley's Sarah Cruz averaged 1.17 blocks per set last week as she collected a season-high five blocks in Monday's win over California Baptist.
WAC STAT LEADERS
Entering week five, unbeaten NM State continues to dominate at the net as they lead the WAC in hitting percentage (.333), opponent hitting percentage (.120), kills (15.03) and blocks (2.73). The Aggies also lead the conference in assists (13.83). Meanwhile, Utah Valley sits atop the league in service aces (1.76) and Grand Canyon paces the conference in digs (18.92).
Individually, Grand Canyon's Yeny Murillo leads the WAC in kills (4.69) and points per set (5.00). Fellow Lopes Klaire Mitchell and K.J. Adams have also been impressive as Mitchell records the most assists per set at 11.42 and Adams leads the conference in digs (5.38). NM State's Lia Mosher holds the top hitting percentage (.405) while Tarleton has the league's top blocker in Lorin McNeil as she averages 1.33 blocks per set. Lastly, California Baptist's Tesa Oaks and Utah Valley's Bryton Bishop share the lead for most service aces per set at 0.62.
KERSEY NAMED AVCA NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Tarleton's Lauren Kersey was named the Sports Imports/AVCA Division I Women's Player of the Week for the week of Feb. 24 through March 2. Kersey became just the fourth player in Texan volleyball history to win the award, and the first Division I program.
On the week, Kersey averaged 4.00 kills per set on .378 hitting as she led the Texans to a perfect 4-0 week. The junior posted double-digit kills in each of Tarleton's victories, highlighted by a season-high 17 kills on 30 swings in a three-set win over Chicago State on Monday.
MILOJEVIC SCORES 100TH ACE
Seattle U's Tijana Milojevic notched her 100th ace last night in the Redhawks' road match with NM State. This season Milojevic currently ranks fifth in the WAC in service aces per set (0.40) and has recorded 10 aces this season, giving her exactly 100 for her career.
MIKE JORDAN CAPTURES WIN NO. 500
NM State Head Coach Mike Jordan earned his 500th career win as the Aggies took down California Baptist in three sets on Feb. 22. The Aggies are currently 8-0 and are riding a 28-match win streak in conference play. Jordan has been at the helm for NM State since 1998 and has led the Aggies to five WAC regular-season titles and seven NCAA tournaments during his tenure.
WAC AMONG NATION'S BEST
Undefeated NM State ranks inside the top-10 among Division I schools in a trio of team categories. The Aggies rank third in assists per set (13.85), seventh in kills per set (15.00) and ninth in hitting percentage (.314).
Meanwhile, Chicago State's opening week of play came with an impressive showing from Berenice Almeyda as she ranks fifth in hitting percentage (.522)
Grand Canyon's strong start has given it top-10 in one team category and one individual category. The Lopes rank ninth in team attacks per set (40.27) while outside hitter Yeny Murillo ranks 10th in attacks per set (12.54).
Additionally, Tarleton's Ana Costas racked up 27 digs in the Texans' three-set win over Seattle U on Feb. 9. This season, only five DI players have recorded more digs in a three-set match.
MIKELS REACHES 2,000 ASSISTS
NM State's Natalie Mikels recorded her 2,000th career assist in an Aggie uniform on Feb. 16 against GCU. The senior setter from Jenks, Okla., posted 20 assists against the Lopes to join the 2,000-assist club. She currently has 167 assists on the year, giving her 2,037 assists for her career.
TANUVASA JOINS 1,000 KILL CLUB
Utah Valley's Kazna Tanuvasa placed herself among elite company as she tallied her 1,000th kill as a Wolverine. The junior outside hitter eclipsed the mark after recording 18 kills against No. 16 BYU, giving her 1,007 for her career. With 119 total kills on the season, she now sits at 1,092 in just her junior year at UVU.
DIXIE STATE, TARLETON SHINE IN DI DEBUTS
It was apparent that both Dixie State and Tarleton were ready for the jump as both squads dominated in their Division I debuts. The Trailblazers took down Southern Utah in straight sets, winning 25-18, 25-21, 26-24. Meanwhile, the Texans also won in three sets, taking down Louisiana Tech in just three sets (25-21, 25-23, 25-16) in their season opener.
NM STATE FAVORED IN WAC PRESEASON POLL
The WAC volleyball coaches selected NM State to win the WAC regular-season crown this spring. Coming off back-to-back WAC Tournament Championships, the Aggies received eight of the nine first-place votes and 64 total points to earn the top spot in the poll. Grand Canyon earned the remaining first-place vote to finish in second place with 55 points, followed by UT Rio Grande Valley which slid into third with 48 points. California Baptist picked up 42 points as they were selected fourth while UT Rio Grande Valley finished closely behind with 40 points to claim fifth. Dixie State, Tarleton and Seattle U each collected 21 points to form a three-way tie for sixth while Chicago State rounded out the poll with 12 points.
PRESEASON ALL-WAC
NM State and Grand Canyon had the most players named to the preseason All-WAC team as both squads garnered three spots. Joining NM State's Savannah Davison on the preseason team are fellow Aggies Julianna Salanoa and Lia Mosher, Grand Canyon's Kaira Moss, Klaire Mitchell and Annabelle Kubinski, Utah Valley's Kazna Tarawhiti and Seren Jardine, UT Rio Grande Valley's Sarah Cruz and Samaret Caraballo, California Baptist's Sydney Marks and Christine Graf and Seattle U's Eve Kerschenbaum and Tijana Milojevic.
RETURNING ALL-CONFERENCE PLAYERS
Of the seven First Team All-WAC players in 2019, four return for the season – spring 2021 Preseason Player of the Year Savannah Davison of NM State and teammate Julianna Salanoa along with Utah Valley's Kazna Tarawhiti and Grand Canyon's Kaira Moss.
Just two of the seven second team honorees return as GCU teammates Annabelle Kubinski and Klaire Mitchell are back.
Four of the six All-Freshman Team honorees from a year ago return – Grand Canyon teammates Hannah Eskes and Mitchell, California Baptist's Christine Graf and Victoire Nama of UT Rio Grande Valley.
SPRING 2021 WAC TOURNAMENT
The Spring 2021 WAC Volleyball Tournament will be held April 1-3 at the Pan American Center in Las Cruces, N.M. and will include all six eligible teams.
2020 NCAA TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
The NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship 48-team bracket will be announced Sunday, April 4. The bracket will consist of 32 automatic qualifiers and 16 at-large teams. The final site of the 2020 NCAA Championship will be the CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, Neb. Semifinals will be held April 22 while the championship will be held on April 24.
HISTORIC DAY FOR LIPSCOMB, AGGIES
In NM State's impressive win over Seattle U, the Aggies set the school record for hitting percentage in a three-set match (.554). Shaney Lipscomb led the way as she set the program record for individual hitting percentage in a three-set match (1.000). The Aggies finished the day with 46 kills as Lipscomb claimed 14 kills of her own.