BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week
Ava Martin, Creighton, So., OH
The reigning BIG EAST Freshman of the Year picked up exactly where she left off, leading No. 18 Creighton to a 2-1 week highlighted by a straight-set upset of No. 16 Purdue (W, 3-0). Martin amassed 49 kills, hitting .312, over 11 sets to lead the BIG EAST in kills per set (4.45). She added 18 digs and a pair of blocks en route to earning All-Tournament accolades at the Reamer Club Xtra Special Premier. She opened her sophomore campaign with 14 kills and four digs on .265 hitting in 3-0 victory over A-10 Champion Loyola (Chicago), then produced 15 kills and six digs on .268 hitting in the sweep of Purdue.
BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week
Jaymeson Kinley, Butler, R.S. Sr., DS
The two-time reigning BIG EAST Libero of the Year led Butler to a perfect opening weekend as the Bulldogs’ rang in a new era under first year head coach Kyle Shondell. The Bulldog Brawl MVP registered 56 digs in 12 sets (4.67/set) with 17 assists and five total blocks. After producing 11 digs in Butler’s season-opening sweep of Kent State (W, 3-0), Kinley exploded for match-high 19 and 26 digs against Fresno State (W, 3-1) and UC San Diego (W, 3-2), respectively.
BIG EAST Freshman of the Week
Rylee Nelson, Seton Hall, Fr., L
Seton Hall freshman Rylee Nelson made a statement in her first collegiate weekend, leading the BIG EAST in digs (5.25/set) as the Pirates claimed two straight-set victories at the UCI Invitational. Against San Francisco (W, 3-0), the starting libero produced a match-high 19 digs. On the weekend, Nelson totaled 42 digs and 14 assists over eight sets.
Honor Roll
Ellie Bolton, Creighton, Sr., L
Playing as Creighton’s primary libero, Bolton averaged a team-leading 4.82 digs per set with 14 assists to garner All-Tournament Most Valuable Player accolades. Against No. 16 Purdue (W, 3-0), Bolton logged a game-best 22 digs.
Peyton Wilhite, Georgetown, Gr., RS
Wilhite proved to be an all-around impact player as Georgetown opened its 2023 campaign with three wins to go undefeated at the D.C. Challenge. The graduate right side totaled 27 kills (2.25/set), 39 digs (3.25/set), and 19 total blocks across 12 sets. Under first year head coach AJ Bonetti, the Hoyas defeated Howard (3-1), George Mason (3-0), and American (3-2) on the road.
Wiktoria Kowalczyk, St. John’s, Jr., S
Kowalczyk powered St. John’s to a pair of victories with 84 assists, 19 digs, and two service aces at the Florida Gulf Coast Invitational, earning All-Tournament accolades in the process. In a 3-1 victory over Ole Miss, the Red Storm’s first over an SEC opponent since 2015, the junior setter registered 17 assists and a trio of digs. Against FGCU (W, 3-2), Kowalczyk led both programs with 45 assists.
Madeline Barber, Villanova, Sr., MB
Barber was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Western Michigan Tournament after totaling 28 kills on .403 hitting with ten total blocks. Against Northern Iowa (W, 3-2), the senior middle hit .500 with 10 kills and three blocks. She added another seven blocks in the Wildcats’ 3-2 victory over Milwaukee.
Emma Grace, Xavier, R.S. So., OH/DS
Grace registered a pair of double-doubles as Xavier opened the 2023 season with three victories at the Cincinnati Tournament. Against Indiana State (W, 3-1), the redshirt sophomore logged 17 kills and 12 digs. She followed this performance with 18 kills and 12 assists against Cincinnati (W, 3-1). Grace concluded the weekend with 11 kills, hitting .769, against Alabama State (W, 3-0) for 46 kills, hitting .389, with 26 digs on the weekend.