The South Atlantic Conference Announces Astroturf Volleyball Players of the Week

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com)– The South Atlantic Conference announced its AstroTurf Offensive and Defensive Volleyball Players of the week for matches played during the seventh week of the 2021 season. Carson-Newman's Julia Wheeler takes the Offensive Player of the Week honor, while Queens' Kayla McDuffie was named Defensive Player of the Week.

Wheeler, a redshirt sophomore outside hitter, helped lead the Eagles to a 2-1 record this past weekend. She opened the week with 27 kills, 15 digs, two assists and two blocks in a thrilling five-set match against Mars Hill. She went on to add 26 kills, 14 digs and 2 blocks in their win over Newberry and closed the weekend with 23 kills, 13 digs and one service ace in a 3-1 win over Anderson. Overall, the Murfreesboro, Tenn., native averaged a .297 hitting percentage putting up 80 points. She is ranked second overall for kills per set and first in kills overall for the SAC. This is Wheeler's first Offensive Player of the Week Honor this season. 

A freshman middle blocker from Winterville, N.C., McDuffie, helped the Royals to a 2-1 record this past weekend. Overall, she averaged 1.50 blocks per set putting up 18 blocks, 0.25 digs per set with three digs and 18 kills. McDuffie is currently ranked fourth in the SAC for her blocks per set with 1.07. This is McDuffie's first Defensive player of the Week Honor this season.

2021 SAC AstroTurf Offensive Volleyball Players of the Week

Offensive Player of the Week

Sep. 6 – Raeley Matthews, Tusculum

Sep. 13 – Regan Duty, Anderson

Sep. 20 – Emiah Burrowes, Tusculum

Sep. 27 – Shannon Kasprack, Wingate

Oct. 4 – Sophie Schaff, Wingate

Oct. 11 – Emiah Burrowes, Tusculum

Oct. 18 – Julia Wheeler, Carson-Newman

2021 SAC AstroTurf Defensive Volleyball Players of the Week 

Defensive Player of the Week

Sep. 6 – Noelle Knutsen, Anderson

Sep. 13 – Amanda Berecz, Newberry 

Sep. 20 – Carly Sosnowski, Tusculum 

Sep. 27 – Rachel Bewick, Lenoir-Rhyne

Oct. 4 – Zoe Dinkins, Newberry

Oct. 11 – Maggie Young, Wingate

Oct. 18 – Kayla McDuffie, Queens 

AstroTurf is an official corporate partner of the South Atlantic Conference and title sponsor of the Conference's Player of the Week awards program.  

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