IRVING, Texas – The American Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly volleyball awards for the week ending Sunday, October 19.
 
Offensive Player of the Week
Taylor Preston, Sr., OH, Rice
Preston helped lead the Owls to a 2-0 week, averaging 5.50 kills per set and 6.19 points per set, while hitting .322.
 
Defensive Player of the Week
Allie Paulsen, R-So., MB, Wichita State
Paulsen was a force at the net, averaging 1.78 blocks per set. In the 3-1 win at UTSA, she finished with 10 total blocks.
 
Setter of the Week
Brayden Hipp, Sr., S, Tulsa
Hipp averaged 13 assists per set in a pair of road wins over Memphis and UAB. She had double-doubles in both matches, adding 11 digs defensively in both matches.
 
Freshman of the Week
Aaliyah Smith, Fr., OH, Rice
Smith averaged 4.17 points per set while hitting .219 to help guide the Owls to a pair of wins over Tulane and Wichita State.
 
Honorable Mention
Annika Thompson, Jr., L/DS, Charlotte
Thompson averaged 5.29 digs per set in a pair of road matches against South Florida and Florida Atlantic.
 
Lilly Croshaw, So., Opp, North Texas
Croshaw hit .667 with 20 kills in the 3-1 win against East Carolina – one of five DI players to hit .667 with 20 kills in a match this season.
 
Gaby Mansfield, Sr., L, Rice
Mansfield averaged 4.75 digs per set in a pair of wins for the Owls, while adding 10 assists.
 
Kaia Mateo, Jr., S, Rice
Mateo paced the Owls with 11.00 assists per set, totaling 88 assists in two matches.
 
Beth Bayless, Sr., OH, Tulsa
Bayless led the Golden Hurricane in scoring with 4.25 points per set, while hitting .333 on the week.