TicketSmarter WAC Volleyball Players Of The Week Announced
ARLINGTON, Texas– UTRGV’s Sarah Cruz, UT Arlington’sAlli Wells 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. 23.
Cruz, a senior outside hitter, averaged 5.57 kills on .232 hitting, 0.14 aces, 3.00 digs, 0.43 blocks and 6.0 points in seven sets across two matches last week. Cruz posted her ninth double-double at Grand Canyon with a match-high of 24 kills on .249 hitting, one ace, 15 digs and match-high 25.0 points in a 3-1 victory. It was Cruz’s eighth match of 20+ kills this season. Cruz also recorded 15 kills, six digs and three blocks in the sweep of California Baptist.
Wells, a junior defensive specialist/libero, averaged 5.89 digs per set in wins over Abilene Christian and Sam Houston. Wells opened with a match-high 33 digs and two assists against Abilene Christian, becoming just the ninth player in program history to reach 1,500 digs in a career. Wells recorded her eighth career match with at least 30, and it was the third-most in a match by a WAC player this year - and only the fourth overall with 31 or more by any player. Wells followed that up with a team-high 20 digs and three assists against Sam Houston. It was Wells’ fifth match with at least 20 digs over nine conference matches.
Shewell, an outside hitter, had another strong week for UVU with 18 kills for an average of 2.57 a set. Shewell was second in service aces last week with four. On the defensive side, Shewell had one reception error in 46 attempts for a .978 reception percentage and added 1.86 digs a set for 13. Shewell finished the week with five block assists for UVU. Shewell had eight kills and three service aces on Oct. 20 against Utah Tech and recorded a double-double against Southern Utah with 10 kills and 10 digs.
2022 TicketSmarter WAC Volleyball Weekly Awards
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Sarah Cruz, Sr., OH, UTRGV (Oct. 24)
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
Alli Wells, Jr., DS/L, UT Arlington (Oct.24)
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.24)
Avery Shewell, OH, Utah Valley (Oct.17)
Breanna McDonough, RS, Tarleton (Oct. 10)
Camryn Hill, OH, Stephen F. Austin (Oct. 3)
Avery Shewell, 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)