Carson-Newman’s James, Mars Hill’s Murphy Earn Volleyball Weekly Awards

ROCK HILL, S.C. - Carson-Newman middle hitter Nicki James has been named SAC Player of the Week, and Mars Hill libero Maggie Murphy is the league's Specialist of the Week, it was announced on Monday.

[RELATED: SAC Volleyball Weekly Report]

James led Carson-Newman to a 3-0 week that has the Eagles back among the top teams in the SAC standings.

James, the nation's leading blocker entering last weekend, carried C-N with 10 kills and 11 blocks in a home win Tuesday night against Mars Hill, 3-1. She again controlled the net in Friday's five-set thriller at Lenoir-Rhyne, coming up with 10 blocks and nine kills. She hit .471 with only three errors in the two wins. James added 10 blocks in a sweep of Brevard on Saturday afternoon.

For the week, she hit .385 with 27 kills, and averaged 2.1 blocks-per-set. James currently leads the SAC in blocks-per-set.

Murphy turned in three strong performances last week as Mars Hill went 2-1.

In the Lions' wins over Newberry and Anderson, Murphy posted 34 digs and 25 digs, respectively. She was also solid in MHC's loss to Carson-Newman earlier in the week, tallying 19 digs.

Murphy also added five assists on the week. Overall, she averaged 7.09 digs-per-set over the three matches. She currently leads the SAC by averaging 6.32 digs-per-set.

Both James and Murphy are the first student-athletes from their schools to earn the weekly awards from the SAC this season.

Nikki James, Carson-Newman

Sr. | MH | Cookeville, Tenn.

Maggie Murphy, Mars Hill

So. | L | Richmond, Va.