The South Atlantic Conference Announces AstroTurf SAC Volleyball Players of the Week, Nov. 4

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – The South Atlantic Conference announced its AstroTurf SAC Volleyball Players of the Week for matches played Oct. 27-Nov. 2.  Carson-Newman middle hitter Kiayna O'Neal was tabbed the Player of the Week, while Carson-Newman's Kristen Pickett and Shannon Murphy of Tusculum were tabbed Co-Specialists of the Week.

O'Neal, a junior from Katy, Texas, put away 20 kills and hit .543 to lead the Eagles to a 2-0 South Atlantic Conference record last week, including a win over then No. 7 Wingate.  She got her week started with 11 kills, five digs and six blocks in a 3-0 win at Coker on Oct. 31.  The next day at Wingate, O'Neal found the floor for nine kills to go along with a pair of digs and a block.  She finished the week with 23.5 points and one ace.  The honor marks her first Player of the Week selection this season.

Pickett, a senior from Cleveland, Tenn., dished out 81 assists to average 10.12 assists per set in the Eagles' wins last week.  She posted 32 assists, eight digs, a kill and a block against Coker.  Pickett followed that effort with 49 assists, 19 digs and three kills in the win over the Bulldogs.  The honor is her third Specialist of the Week award this season.

Murhpy, a freshman from Tinley Park, Ill., averaged 10.12 assists per set as she posted 81 assists to lead her squad to a pair of SAC wins last week.  She started her week with 38 assists as well as seven digs, three kills and a block as Tusculum downed Brevard 3-0 on Oct. 31.  The next day at Lenoir-Rhyne, Murhpy handed out 43 assists and came away with 12 digs and three kills in a 3-2 win over the Bears.  Her 38 assists vs. Brevard was a season-high in a three-set match.  The honor is her first Specialist of the Week plaudit this season.

Also nominated for volleyball Player of the Week: Jessica King (Newberry) and Megan Hasse (Tusculum).

Also nominated for volleyball Specialist of the Week: Aleksandra Vrvilo (Brevard) and Rachel Moran (Newberry).

2014 AstroTurf SAC Volleyball Players of the Week
Sept. 9 - Rachel Harper, Carson-Newman
Sept. 16 - Hailey Pittman, Anderson
Sept. 23 - Rachel Harper, Carson-Newman
Sept. 30 - Jenna Wilson, Carson-Newman 
Oct. 7 - Shelly Stumpff, Wingate 
Oct. 14 - Rachel Harper, Carson-Newman 
Oct. 21 - Hailey Pittman, Anderson 
Oct. 28 - Ashley Wells, Lenoir-Rhyne 
Nov. 4 - Kiyana O'Neal, Carson-Newman 

2014 AstroTurf SAC Volleyball Specialist of the the Week
Sept. 9 - Brianna Gottberg, Lenoir-Rhyne
Sept. 16 - Abby Cash, Lincoln Memorial
Sept. 23 - Alison Cooke, Wingate
Sept. 30 - Kristen Pickett, Carson-Newman 
Oct. 7 - Alison Cooke, Wingate 
Oct. 14 - Kristen Pickett, Carson-Newman 
Oct. 21 - Alison Cooke, Wingate 
Oct. 28 - Briana Gottberg, Lenoir-Rhyne 
Nov. 4 - Kristen Pickett, Carson-Newman & Shannon Murphy Tusculum