TicketSmarter WAC Volleyball Players Of The Week Announced
ARLINGTON, Texas–Utah Tech’s Whittnee Nihipali, UT Arlington’s Izabella Ortiz and Utah Valley’s Avery Shewell have been named the TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Volleyball Offensive, Defensive and Freshman Players of the Week, for the match week ending on Sunday, Oct. 16.
Nihipali, a senior outside hitter, recorded a double-double against Sam Houston with 15 kills and 18 digs. Nihipali ended the match with 51 total attacks and two errors for a .255 percentage. Nihipali also recorded two service aces to help Utah Tech’s offensive efforts.
Puckett, a sophomore middle blocker, averaged 2.00 kills per set along with 1.43 digs per set and 1.57 blocks per set last week. Puckett reached the 100 career blocks plateau, while establishing new career highs in digs (7), kills (11) and aces (2) in the Mavericks win against Seattle U. Puckett topped off her week of play with five blocks against Utah Valley.
Shewell, an outside hitter, led Utah Valley with 25 kills last week with a 4.17 per set while hitting .392. Shewell added three service aces and was second on the team in digs with 18 last week and added a block assist to average 4.75 points per set. Shewell set a new career-high with 13 kills on the road against Utah Tech while hitting .524 in the match.
2022 TicketSmarter WAC Volleyball Weekly Awards
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Whittnee Nihipali, Sr., OH, Utah Tech (Oct.17)
Ariana Pagan, Sr., OH, Stephen F. Austin (Oct. 10)
Melanie Brecka, Gr., OH, Grand Canyon(Oct. 3)
Avery Shewell, Fr., OH, Utah Valley (Sept. 26)
Ariana Pagan, Sr., OH, Stephen F. Austin(Sept. 19)
Brianna Ford, So., OH, UT Arlington (Sept. 12)
Sarah Cruz, Sr., OH, UTRGV (Sept. 5)
Sarah Cruz, Sr., OH, UTRGV(Aug. 29)
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Kortney Puckett, So., MB, UT Arlington (Oct.17)
Izabella Ortiz, Fr., MB, Stephen F. Austin (Oct. 10)
Madison Dyer, Fr., MB, Sam Houston(Oct. 3)
Hannah Baker, So., DS/L, Sam Houston (Sept. 26)
Haley Hoang, Jr., DS, Stephen F. Austin(Sept. 19)
Mykenna Nelson, Sr., L, Utah Tech(Sept. 12)
Haley Hoang, Jr., DS, Stephen F. Austin (Sept. 5)
Haley Hoang, Jr., DS, Stephen F. Austin(Aug. 29)
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Avery Shewell, OH,Utah Valley (Oct.17)
Breanna McDonough, RS, Tarleton (Oct. 10)
Camryn Hill, OH, Stephen F. Austin(Oct. 3)
Avery Shewell, Fr., OH, Utah Valley(Sept. 26)
Jalie Tritt, OH, UT Arlington(Sept. 19)
Sophie Skinner, S, UT Arlington (Sept. 12)
Ailie Hair, MB, Tarleton (Sept. 5)
Ailie Hair, MB, Tarleton (Aug. 29)