Sept. 21, 2009
BIG TEN VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
OFFENSE
Megan Hodge, Penn State
OH, Sr., Durham, N.C./Riverside
Hodge recorded a team-best 50 kills as No. 1 Penn State recorded two sweeps over Temple and another against St. Francis, extending the team’s winning streak to 76 consecutive matches. The senior averaged 5.56 kills per set on .543 hitting, also contributing 1.9 digs and 0.4 blocks per set on the weekend. Against the Owls on Friday, Hodge put down 11 kills on 17 swings for a .529 hitting clip, also with two blocks and four digs. Versus St. Francis the following day, she tallied 15 kills on .560 hitting with nine saves. In the weekend finale against Temple, she put down a season-high 24 kills while hitting .538, also recording a service ace, two blocks and four digs. The weekly honor is the sixth of Hodge’s career.
Last PSU POW: Megan Hodge (offense), Dec. 1, 2008
DEFENSE
Allyson Karaba, Michigan State
Jr., LIB, Muskegon, Mich./North Muskegon
Karaba earned All-Tournament honors at the Clemson Classic over the weekend, leading the Spartans with 52 digs as the squad improved to 12-0 on the season. The junior posted double-digit digs in each of her three matches, including 26 in a five-set win over the host Tigers. For the weekend, she averaged 4.7 saves per set while converting on 31 of 32 service reception opportunities. Karaba passed the Spartans to a .294 hitting clip in the tournament, while her defense limited opponents to a .156 average. The award is the second of Karaba’s career.
Last MSU POW: Kyndra Abron (offense), August 31, 2009
CO-FRESHMAN
Emily Danks, Ohio State
OH, Round Rock, Texas/Round Rock
Danks was named to the All-Tournament team at the Sports Imports Classic, hitting .592 and averaging 3.1 kills per set as the Buckeyes went 3-0 over the weekend. The freshman opened the tournament by hitting a career high .714 against Bowling Green with 10 kills in 14 attempts. She also added an ace, a block and a dig. The following day against Cleveland State, she tallied 14 kills on .565 hitting with another ace and a pair of blocks before adding on seven kills on .500 hitting with four digs and two blocks in the tournament finale vs. Xavier.
Last OSU FOW: N/A
Ariel Turner, Purdue
OH, Highlands Ranch, Colo./Mountain Vista
Turner averaged 3.5 digs on .302 hitting for Purdue in a pair of Boilermaker wins over the weekend, also contributing defensively with 1.7 digs per set. Against Ohio on Friday, she posted 10 kills and three digs before wrapping up the weekend with 11 kills and seven saves vs. Louisville. Turner also added a service ace and three blocks as Purdue swept both its opponents at the Active Ankle Challenge.
Last PUR FOW: N/A
