PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The American Athletic Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly volleyball honors for the week ending Oct. 25.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jordan Thompson • Fr. • RS/OH • Cincinnati
Thompson powered the Bearcat offense with 4.88 kills per set in a 1-1 week in conference play. The freshman recorded a career-high 27 kills with a .286 hitting percentage and nine digs in a five-set win over Tulsa. Thompson tallied 12 kills against SMU on Friday. The Edina, Minn., product ranks amongst the conference leaders in kills per set (3.73, 6th) and hitting percentage (.301, 8th). Cincinnati is in third place of the conference standings with a 6-4 league record.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Janelle Giordano • Jr. • MB • SMU
Giordano led the Mustang’s defense with 2.67 blocks per set in a 2-0 week. The junior middle blocker set an American Athletic Conference and SMU record for blocks in a three-set match with 12 blocks against Cincinnati. Giordano helped hold the Bearcats to a hitting percentage of .092 in the 3-0 win. On Sunday, Keller, Texas, native registered four total blocks (two solo, two assists) to go with nine kills on .500 hitting in a sweep of Memphis. Giordano ranks amongst the nation’s leaders and leads The American in blocks per set at 1.61. The Mustangs are on a nine match win-streak and sit atop the league standings with a 9-1 record.
WEEKLY HONOR ROLL
Jordan Pingel • Fr. • L • UCF
Produced 24 digs in a four-set win over USF and 18 digs in a sweep of East Carolina for a 6.00 dig per set average on the week.
Jade Strawberry • Jr. • OH • UConn
Averaged 3.17 kills per set with a .302 hitting percentage and 4.67 digs per set, including 10 kills and 13 digs in a sweep of Houston.
Mady Ruhlman • Fr. • L • Memphis
Led the Tiger’s defenses with a 5.67 dig per set average, including 23 digs in a three-set win against Tulsa.
Morgan Heise • Jr. • L • SMU
Registered 6.5 digs per set with 22 digs in a sweep of Cincinnati and 17 digs in a victory over Memphis, 3-0.
Carolina Grattan • Jr. • OH/RS • Temple
Provided an offensive spark for the Owls, recording 4.14 kills per set and hitting .375 percent from the outside in a 1-1 week.