PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The American Athletic Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly volleyball honors for the week ending on Sept. 10.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Lauren Mills * Sr. * OH * SMU
Mills was named the Texas State Creeds and Crests Classic MVP after leading the Mustangs to a 3-0 weekend. She registered a career-high 27 kills in the 3-1 win over UTSA and eight blocks against Texas State. Her 27 kills tied the SMU record for a four-set match. She averaged 4.17 kills and 3.58 digs per set, while earning two double-doubles over the weekend. She is now tied for the conference lead with five double-doubles this year. SMU improved to 6-3 this season.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Kaylie McHugh * So. * L * Tulane
McHugh picked up her second tournament MVP honor this season after helping the Green Wave take the title at its Allstate Sugar Bowl Collegiate Volleyball Classic. McHugh guided her side to an undefeated home stand, averaging 4.09 digs per set through 11 sets played. She was also named Defensive Player of the Tournament. Tulane moved to the top of the conference standings after improving to 8-2 with three victories this weekend, including a four-set win over Oklahoma. McHugh recorded 23 digs in the victory over the Sooners.
WEEKLY HONOR ROLL
Kristina Fisher * Fr. * OH * UCF
Fisher joined Mills and McHugh in earning a tournament MVP honor this weekend, while fueling her team’s offense at the UCA Classic. The Knights went 2-2 at the tournament, as Fisher put down a career-high 21 kills in the 3-1 win over Central Arkansas. The freshman averaged 3.27 kills and 1.87 digs per set through UCF’s four matches over the weekend.
Katie Karbo * So. * DS/L * Houston
Karbo led the conference with 5.77 digs per set over the weekend, as Houston returned home and went 2-1 at its Flo Hyman Collegiate Cup. Karbo led the team in digs in all three matches and earned All-Tournament honors. She tallied 32 digs against McNeese, 24 in the four-set win over Stetson, and 19 in the 3-1 win over Mississippi State. She also had seven service aces, as her team leads the league with 1.92 aces per set.
Montana Watts * So. * L * SMU
Watts led SMU’s back row, as the team went undefeated at the Texas State Creeds and Crest Classic. She earned All-Tournament honors and paced the team with 5.67 digs per set. She recorded a career-high 31 digs against Texas State to help the team to a comeback win. She also had 27 digs in the 3-1 victory over UTSA. The Mustangs held its opponents to a .116 attack percentage this weekend.
Izzy Rapacz * Sr. * OH/RS * Temple
Rapacz guided Temple to its third straight win and made the All-Tournament list at the Cherry & White Challenge. The Owls defeated Boston College 3-0 at home, as Rapacz led the way with 11 kills and no errors for a .611 hitting percentage. She swung 18 times and averaged 3.27 kills and 1.33 blocks per set. She currently leads The American in blocking with 1.62 stuffs per set.
Giorgia Civita * R-Fr. * L * No. 23 Wichita State
Civita averaged 5.27 digs per set in three matches for the Shockers at the Nike Classic over the weekend. She had 15 digs in the 3-0 win over Duquesne and led the back row with 12 digs against No. 14 Oregon. She had a career-high 31 digs against Cal Poly (RV), along with five assists.