Wingate’s Gale, Willis Named Volleyball Players Of The Week

ROCK HILL, S.C. ­- Wingate University sophomore middle blocker Stormi Gale (Richmond, Texas) is this week's South Atlantic Conference volleyball Player of the Week. Wingate University freshman setter Liz Willis (Raleigh, N.C.) is the SAC volleyball Specialist of the Week.

Gale averaged 3.56 kills per set with a .435 hitting percentage last week as the Bulldogs picked up three conference wins. The three victories extended Wingate's 2008 winning streak to 21 matches. The Bulldogs are 23-1 overall and 12-0 in the SAC.

Gale had 16 kills, 14 digs and six blocks while hitting .324 in a win at Catawba Tuesday. She played in only the first set against Mars Hill, notching three kills in home victory.

Stormi Gale

Liz Willis

Gale concluded her week with 13 kills, three blocks and a .600 hitting percentage in a 3-0 triumph over Tusculum in Cuddy Arena. The 2007 SAC Freshman of the Year leads the Wingate team with 3.49 kills and 0.80 blocks per set. Gale is third on the Wingate team charts with 2.30 digs per set. She was first team All-SAC last season and earned a spot on the All-Tournament team.

Bulldog freshman setter Liz Willis handed out 10.27 assists per set and accumulated 1.73 digs per set during Wingate's 3-0 week. Willis dished out a career-high 56 assists Tuesday night in Wingate's victory at Catawba. She also notched 12 digs. Willis started her two-match weekend with 30 assists in the 3-0 win over Mars Hill Friday night. On Saturday afternoon, she put together a 27-assist performance against Tusculum. Thanks to her efforts, the Wingate team hit .320 for the week. Willis hit .400 for the week, with 10 kills, five aces and three blocks.

Gale earns POTW honors for the fourth time in her career and the third time this season. Willis has two POTW recognitions in her first season in the Bulldog blue and gold.

The SAC Volleyball Players of the Week are determined by a vote of the sports information directors of the league.