Oct. 19, 2009
BIG TEN VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
OFFENSE
Arielle Wilson, Penn State
Jr., MH, Broadview, Ill./Proviso East
The nation’s leader in attack percentage, Wilson hit a blistering .706 on the road against No. 11 Michigan and Michigan State over the weekend to lead Penn State to two more victories, extending the team’s NCAA-record winning streak to 84 matches. Against the nationally ranked Wolverines on Friday, the junior put down 17 kills on 23 swings to attack at a .696 clip, also adding eight total blocks to hold Michigan to a .191 average on the night. Versus the Spartans the following day, Wilson tallied eight kills on 11 errorless swings for a .727 mark, leading Penn State to a team hitting average of .519, which is the highest mark in Big Ten play this season. She also tallied seven blocks, holding the Spartans to .118 hitting in the match. Wilson averaged 3.1 kills and 1.9 blocks per set as she picks up her third award of the season and the seventh of her career.
Last PSU POW: Alisha Glass (offense), Oct. 12, 2009
DEFENSE
Ashley Edinger, Illinois
Sr., LIB, Michigan City, Ind./Michigan City
Edinger commanded the Illinois defense that held opponents to .165 hitting over the weekend, averaging 6.3 digs per set vs. Northwestern and No. 6 Minnesota. Against the Wildcats on Wednesday, the libero saved 19 hits and was flawless on all 11 of her service reception opportunities as the Fighting Illini held their opponent to a .092 attack clip on the night. On Saturday against the nationally ranked Golden Gophers, Edinger once again picked up 19 digs and converted on all 12 of her service receptions as Illinois earned the sweep. The senior now totals 1,868 digs in her career to rank in the conference’s all-time top 10, also leading the Big Ten with 4.55 digs per set during conference play. The weekly honor is the fifth in Edinger’s career.
Last ILL POW: Johannah Bangert (defense), Oct. 12, 2009
FRESHMAN
Ariel Turner, Purdue
OH, Highlands Ranch, Colo./Mountain Vista
Turner led the Boilermakers to wins against Wisconsin and Iowa over the weekend, averaging 4.7 kills per set on .429 hitting. The freshman also contributed two digs and 0.71 blocks per set with a service ace in each match. Against the Badgers on Friday, Turner put up a career-high 22 kills while hitting .476, narrowly missing a double-double by adding eight digs and four total blocks. The following night versus the Hawkeyes, the freshman put down a team-high 11 kills at a .357 clip with six digs and a block. The accolade is Turner’s second of the season.
Last PUR FOW: Ariel Turner, Sept. 21, 2009
