LSC VOLLEYBALL
The Lone Star Conference volleyball season is underway with all nine teams competing in tournament play.
After one week of action, four teams - West Texas A&M, Angelo State, Midwestern State and A&M-Commerce - are all undefeated.
WT and ASU will play in the Colorado Premier Challenge this week, which includes seven teams ranked in the current AVCA Coaches Top 25 Poll.
LSC volleyball teams are 28-9 overall this season. The squads are currently 7-1 combined versus Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference teams, and 6-1 against the Heartland Conference, which are the other conferences in the NCAA South Central Region.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
OFFENSIVE
Laura Iwuchukwu, West Texas A&M University, SR, Edmond, Okla., Edmond North
Iwuchukwu started off the 2013 season on a strong note this past weekend as she led the #10 Lady Buffs to the BritKare Lady Buff Classic Championship with a perfect 4-0 record following a season opening sweep of CSU-Pueblo on Thursday night as WT starts off the season 5-0. The Edmond, Oklahoma native registered 39 kills to average 2.44 per set for a hitting percentage of .438 to go along with 13.5 total blocks to average an impressive 1.56 per set. Iwuchukwu registered 14 kills on Friday morning in the tournament opener against UT-Permian Basin to go along with two total blocks and three digs in a Lady Buff sweep of the Falcons.
Maddie Huth, Angelo State University, SR, The Colony, Texas, The Colony HS
Huth picked up right where she left off as an AVCA All-American last season with a dominant performance throughout the ASU Invitational. Huth was named the tournament MVP after having 41 kills, 16 blocks and a .317 hitting percentage in 13 sets played. Huth helped lead the Belles to a 4-0 record at the invitational, including having 15 kills against Dallas Baptist in the season opener.
DEFENSIVE
Shelby Wilt, Angelo State University, JR, Dalhart, Texas, Dalhart HS
Wilt validated her LSC Preseason Defensive Player of the Week recognition right away by leading the Belle defense throughout its four matches at the ASU Invitational. Wilt led the Belles with 56 digs (4 per set) and had only two errors throughout the weekend. Wilt, who played the majority of the time at libero, also saw time at setter and had 26 assists. Not known for her blocking, she did provide a nice solo block in ASU’s five-set victory over Arkansas Fort Smith in the final match of the invitational. She now has 1,290 digs in her career which is only a weekend into her junior season.
Kaitlyn Molloy, Midwestern State University, JR, Litchfield, Ariz., Graham-Kapowsin HS (Spanaway, Wash.)
Molloy proved to be a triple threat as the 5-8, 6-rotation middle blocker played a key role in Midwestern State’s defensive efforts as the Mustangs came away with a 4-0 mark and the team title at the MSU/Hampton Inn-vitaitonal. The transfer from North Idaho averaged 0.69 blocks per set at the net then showed her athleticism with 3.62 digs per set while playing on the back row. Molloy’s efforts spurred a defense which limited the opposition to a .095 team hitting percentage. The aggressive server added six service aces for good measure.
SETTER
Jordan Neal, Texas A&M University - Commerce, SR, Joshua, Texas, Joshua HS
Neal continued to anchor the Lion offensive attack, dishing out 155 assists in four matches while adding a team-high six service aces and 20 points as A&M-Commerce posted a perfect 4-0 mark at the HSU tournament. Neal opened up the season with 53 helpers against Alabama-Huntsville, followed by 28 assists and three aces against the host Lady Reddies. Neal then posted back-to-back 30 assist matches on Saturday, dishing out 35 against Christian Brothers and 39 against Southwest Baptist. Neal also added 10 kills while hitting .471 with seven blocks and 40 digs, recording three double-doubles in four matches over the weekend.
Kayla Rivero, Texas Woman’s University, JR, McKinney, Texas, McKinney
Rivero led the team with 90 assists in a 6-2 offense. She led all four games in assists and recorded two double-doubles. Rivero posted 28 assists and 12 digs in an upset win over #23 Adams State and then added 21 assists and 14 digs against St. Edward’s. She also had 32 assists against St. Mary’s.