Nov. 3, 2008
BIG TEN VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
OFFENSE
Ashley Benson, Indiana
So., MB, Bloomington, Ind., Bloomington North
Benson led the Hoosiers to a pair of wins over the weekend, including a 3-2 victory over No. 13 Minnesota on Saturday. The sophomore averaged 4.0 kills per set on a .354 hitting percentage with 1.1 blocks and 0.6 digs per set over two matches. Opening the weekend against Iowa on Friday, Benson tallied a career-high 25 kills on .477 hitting with a service ace and four total blocks in the come-from-behind victory. Against the nationally ranked Golden Gophers on Saturday, the Bloomington, Ind., native put down 15 kills with seven total blocks and five digs. Behind Benson's attack, the Hoosiers have won four consecutive Big Ten matches for the first time since the 2002 season. The award is Benson's second consecutive honor, also marking the second weekly accolade of her career and the third for the Hoosiers this season
Last IND POW: Ashley Benson (offense), Oct. 27, 2008
DEFENSE
Ashley Edinger, Illinois
Jr., LIB, Michigan City, Ind., Michigan City
Edinger became Illinois' all-time digs leader over the weekend, now with 1,442 in her career. The junior grabbed sole possession of the school record with her ninth dig of the night on Saturday in a win over Ohio State. For the weekend, the Michigan City, Ind., native averaged 4.9 digs per set and received serves with 98 percent accuracy as the Illini defeated No. 18 Michigan, 3-2, and the Buckeyes, 3-1. Edinger posted back-to-back 20-dig matches for the first time since Aug. 30 and Sept. 5 of this year, recording 20 saves against the nationally ranked Wolverines and 24 versus Ohio State. The libero passed her team to a combined .231 hitting mark on the weekend while anchoring the defense that held opponents to a .219 clip. Behind Edinger, the Illini moved up to second place in the Big Ten standings.
Last ILL POW: Ashley Edinger (defense), Oct. 27, 2008
