Oct. 13, 2008
BIG TEN VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
OFFENSE
Arielle Wilson, Penn State
So., MH, Broadview, Ill./Proviso East
Wilson takes home weekly conference honors after leading Penn State to a pair of road sweeps, helping the Nittany Lions remain undefeated in matches as well as sets. On Friday, the sophomore posted seven kills on a .429 hitting percentage at Iowa, also adding nine total blocks and a dig. The middle hitter followed that performance by slamming 10 kills at a .692 clip with three stuffs to lead the her squad to a victory over No. 12 Minnesota on Saturday in front of a crowd of over 10,000 at Williams Arena. For the weekend, she averaged 2.8 kills and 2.0 blocks per set while swinging for a .556 hitting average. The weekly honor is the third of Wilson’s career as she was recognized twice last season. It also marks the fourth award this year for the top-ranked PSU program.
Last PSU POW: Nicole Fawcett (offense), Oct. 6, 2008
CO-DEFENSE
Johannah Bangert, Illinois
So., MB, Washington, Mo./Washington
Bangert led the Fighting Illini to two road sweeps over the weekend, including a win over nationally ranked Michigan on Saturday. The middle blocker entered the weekend ranked sixth in the nation in blocks per set and opened action on Friday at Ohio State with nine stuffs, holding the Buckeyes to a .096 hitting percentage. She also added six kills on a .364 hitting percentage to help Illinois to its fifth sweep of the season. On Saturday against No. 23 Michigan, Bangert tallied five kills on a .714 hitting mark, also recording six blocks to keep the Wolverines to a .158 hitting percentage. On the weekend, the sophomore averaged 2.5 blocks and 1.8 kills per set while hitting at a .500 average. The honor is the first of Bangert’s career and the second for the Illini this season.
Last ILL POW: Laura DeBruler (offense), Sept. 1, 2008
Kim Kuzma, Wisconsin
So., LIB, Muncie, Ind./Central
Kuzma takes home her first career weekly accolade after helping the Badgers to a pair of road wins last week. The sophomore recorded 23 digs and executed on 32 of 34 service reception opportunities to help Wisconsin to a 3-1 victory at Northwestern on Wednesday. Behind Kuzma’s passing, the Badgers out-hit the Wildcats, .275-.188. Against Michigan State on Saturday, the libero tallied 15 digs and received 29 of 30 service opportunities to lead the Badgers to their first road sweep of the Big Ten season. Kuzma’s performance against Northwestern marked her fourth career 20-dig performance, and she has tallied double-digit digs in 15 of 18 matches this season. For the week, she averaged 5.4 digs per set and received serves with 95 percent accuracy. The weekly honor is the first of her career and the first for Wisconsin this season.
Last WIS POW: Jackie Simpson (offense), Nov. 26, 2007
