Aug. 31, 2009

OFFENSE
Kyndra Abron, Michigan State
So., OH/MB, Livonia, Mich./Livonia Churchill
Abron was named MVP of the MSU Showcase after leading the Spartans to a 3-0 record, including a win over No. 12 USC on Friday. Against the Trojans, the sophomore tallied 14 kills on a .571 hitting percentage, also recording two aces and three total blocks as MSU defeated the Trojans for the first time ever and a Pac-10 team for the first time since 1976. The following day, Abron notched eight kills on an .800 hitting average, helping her team hit at a program-high .587 mark for the match. In the weekend finale vs. North Carolina, the Livonia, Mich., native put down 16 kills on a .385 mark, bringing her weekend averages to 2.9 kills per set on .526 hitting. The weekly honor is the first of Abron’s career.

Last Michigan State POW: Vanessa King (offense), Sept. 29, 2008

CO-DEFENSE
Christine Tan, Minnesota
Sr., LIB, Safety Harbor, Fla./Safety Harbor
Tan registered two 20-dig matches at the Runza/AVCA Showcase over the weekend, while helping the Golden Gophers hold No. 3 Nebraska and No. 22 Kansas State to a combined .153 hitting percentage. The senior tallied 26 saves vs. the Wildcats on Friday, also notching three assists. Against the Huskers on Saturday, the Safety Harbor, Fla., native had 21 digs and, bringing her weekly average to 4.7 per set. Tan committed just one service error all weekend long, fielding 40 of 41 for a .975 average. The weekly award is the eighth of Tan’s career.

Last Minnesota POW: Christine Tan (defense), Nov. 10, 2008

Kate Nobilio, Northwestern
Sr., LIB, Johnsburg, Ill./Johnsburg
Nobilio earns her third career weekly award after posting 65 digs over three matches, including 28 saves each against No. 21 Kentucky and Florida International. The senior’s 28-dig total against the Wildcats marked the fourth-highest four-game total in program history, while her performance vs. Florida International pushed her over the 1,700 mark in her career. The Big Ten’s active leader in digs, Nobilio also made good on all 41 of her service reception attempts while leading the Northwestern defense as it held opponents to a combined .150 attack percentage on the weekend.

FRESHMAN
Darcy Dorton, Penn State
OH, Muncie, Ind./Delta
Playing against Miami (Ohio) on Friday in her first collegiate match, Dorton led her team with 15 kills and a .565 hitting percentage as the Nittany Lions swept the RedHawks. The freshman posted her second double-digit kill performance of the weekend against No. 20 St. Louis on Saturday, putting down 11 kills at a .368 clip. For the weekend, Dorton tallied 33 kills (3.7 kps) on a .414 attack percentage. She also helped Penn State out-block each of its three opponents, tallying seven block assists on the weekend.

Last Penn State Freshman of the Week: N/A