Villanova’s Loitz Named BIG EAST Volleyball Player of the Week; Creighton’s Ballenger Earns Third Freshman Honor
BIG EAST Player of the Week
Allie Loitz, Villanova, Jr., OH (Bonita, Calif.)
Despite a 1-1 week for Villanova, junior outside hitter Allie Loitz recorded a double-double in both matches, her ninth and tenth of the season, keeping the Wildcats in the playoff picture. Loitz averaged 3.86 kills per set on offense and 4.0 digs per set to average 4.25 points per set. Additionally, Loitz boasted a .314 attack percentage. Her 3.86 kills per set was third best in the league last week.
BIG EAST Freshman of the Week
Megan Ballenger, Creighton, Fr., RS (Ankeny, Iowa)
Freshman right side hitter Megan Ballenger powered Creighton to an undefeated weekend by averaging 3.33 points, 2.17 kills, 1.67 blocks and 1.17 digs per set while hitting .500, a league-best for the week. Ballenger’s week started with four kills, three blocks, two digs and an ace in a 3-0 win at Seton Hall. She then hit .727 with nine kills in 11 swings, five digs and a career-high seven blocks in a 3-0 win over St. John’s.
BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll
Whitney Beck, Butler, RS-So., OH (Albion, Ill.)
Beck posted a double-double in a five-set loss at Xavier, going off for 18 kills and 20 digs. The outside hitter only made five errors on 41 swings to post a .317 attack percentage. She ended the contest with 22.5 points by adding four service aces and a block. She tied her season-high marks in kills, aces, and digs while setting a new high in points.
Marysa Wilkinson, Creighton, Jr., MB (Lincoln, Neb.)
Averaged .452 for an undefeated Creighton team who is 12-0 in league play for the season. In a pair of BIG EAST road sweeps, Wilkinson averaged 4.17 points, 3.50 kills, 1.33 blocks and 0.83 digs per set. Against St. John’s Wilkinson had 22 errorless swings.
Haley Bueser, DePaul, Jr., DS/L (Westmont, Ill.)
Led the DePaul back line in a 1-1 road weekend with 4.14 dig per set, compared to season average of 2.49. Bueser had a match-high 17 digs in the win over Georgetown to open the weekend.
Jenna Rosenthal, Marquette
In another 2-0 weekend for Marquette, Rosenthal averaged 3.93 points and 2.80 kills, while averaging a BIG EAST leading 1.86 blocks per set for the week. Rosenthal hit an impressive .485 percent in wins over Villanova and Georgetown.
Mackenzie Humm, Xavier, RS-Jr., Setter (Crystal Lake, Ill.)
Posted a season-high 42 assists to go along with 16 digs for her fourth double-double of the year as the Musketeers defeated Butler in five sets (25-23, 24-26, 25-22, 23-25, 15-13).