Offensive Player of the Week
Izzy Granger, Outside Hitter, Toledo
Izzy Granger was named MVP of the Rocket Invitational on Saturday after totaling 41 kills and 35 digs throughout the home-opening weekend for Toledo. Granger tallied five service aces, three of which came in the third set against Marshall and helped the Rockets secure the sweep. The junior recorded two consecutive double-doubles, totaling 13 kills and 12 digs against Northern Kentucky (Sept. 13) and 14 kills and 14 digs against Marshall (Sept. 14). Against Marshall, Granger set a new career-high with a hitting percentage of .542. The Findlay, Ohio native had a hitting percentage of .267 throughout the weekend, tallying only 14 errors through three matches.
Co-Defensive Player of the Week
Jessica Andrews, Middle Blocker, Bowling Green
Andelyn Simkins, Libero, Western Michigan
Junior middle blocker Jessica Andrews was a force at the net for the Falcons on their way to a 2-1 record at the DePaul/UIC Invite. Andrews finished the weekend with 20 total blocks, logging four solos and 16 block assists over the three matches. In each of BGSU's wins, Andrews tallied two solo blocks. In the five sets against Brown, she added five block assists and then tallied seven block assists over four sets against DePaul. In addition to her strong performance at the net, Andrews tallied 11 kills in both wins as well, coming one block shy of a double-double against DePaul.
Andelyn Simkins racked up 71 digs (5.07/set) to anchor Western Michigan's defense last week. The fifth-year libero started the week with 14 digs and seven assists as the Broncos won at Michigan State in straight sets. Simkins continued to pile up the digs over the weekend at the Erie Insurance Invitational hosted by James Madison, starting with 15 in the tournament opener on Friday against UC San Diego. She then added 20 on Saturday against High Point and closed out the weekend with 22 on Sunday against JMU.
Setters of the Week
Macy Hatkevich/Ella Abraham, Toledo
Macy Hatkevich and Ella Abraham kept the Rockets’ offense chugging along during home opening weekend at the Rocket Invite. Hatkevich tallied 67 assists and 30 digs through all three matches and added four service aces. Ella Abraham totaled 56 assists and 15 digs and poured in four service aces and four kills. Together, Hatkevich and Abraham recorded 123 assists, good for 12.3 per set. The two setters helped the Rockets total 163 kills (16.3 per set) and an overall hitting percentage of .279 during their first home matches of the season.
