PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The American Athletic Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly volleyball honors for the week ending on Sept. 3.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Tabitha Brown * Jr. * OH * Wichita State
Brown led the Shockers to another 3-0 weekend, as Wichita State remains undefeated with a 6-0 record through week two. Brown was named the MVP of the IUPUI Inn Invitational with the Shockers taking the tournament title. She averaged 4.58 kills, 2.67 digs, 0.58 blocks, and 5.00 points per set, while hitting .316 on the outside through 12 sets played. In Wichita State’s come-from-behind five-set win over Marquette, she guided the team with 21 kills and added 18 digs before notching the match-winning service ace in the fifth set. She posted a career-high 24 kills in the 3-1 win over Miami (Ohio).
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Taylor Horsfall * So. * L * Tulsa
Horsfall had a strong performance in the back row to help the Golden Hurricane to a perfect 3-0 weekend at the Cougar Classic. Through 11 sets played, she averaged 6.18 digs per set and chipped in with 1.27 assists per set to earn All-Tournament honors. Horsfall tied her career-high with 28 digs in the four-set win over UMKC before tallying 23 more digs in the sweep victory over the host SIUE. She ended the weekend with 17 digs in a 3-1 win over Wright State.
WEEKLY HONOR ROLL
Carly Nolan * Jr. * OH * Cincinnati
Nolan registered averages of 4.43 kills and 3.71 digs per set in 14 sets played over the weekend, as the Bearcats headed across town to Xavier for three matches. Nolan was selected to the All-Tournament team and had a career-best 24 kills against Western Michigan, tabbing a double-double in all three matches.
Brandee Markwith * So. * DS/L * ECU
Markwith leads the league in digs per set (5.40) after averaging 6.10 at the Hatter Classic. She recorded a school-record 37 digs in the 3-1 victory at Stetson, which are the most digs in a single match this season. She had 20 digs in the Pirates’ sweep over Bucknell, as ECU went 2-1 at the tournament.
Lauren Mills * Sr. * OH * SMU
Mills was named to the Arkansas State All-Tournament team after posting two double-doubles and averaging 3.50 kills, 3.20 digs, and 4.00 points per set, while SMU went 2-1 over the weekend. The senior had a double-double of 10 kills and 12 digs in the four set win over Ole Miss and 12 kills and 12 digs against Virginia Tech.
Kaylie McHugh * So. * L * Tulane
McHugh was named the Mississippi State Invitational Most Valuable Libero after averaging 5.30 digs per set through 10 sets played. Her team went 2-1 over the weekend with wins over Grambling State and Mississippi State. She logged 19 digs while the Green Wave swept the Bulldogs and had 27 digs against Stephen F. Austin.
Emily Thorson * Jr. * OH * Tulsa
Thorson was named MVP of the Cougar Classic with Tulsa sweeping the tournament. She had a career-high 21 kills against UMKC, adding 18 digs for the double-double. She had a second double-double in the 3-1 win over Wright State with 15 kills and 11 digs. She averaged 4.27 kills, 3.09 digs, and 0.45 blocks per set while her team went undefeated.