Edmond, Dusek, Lilley All Garner SEC Awards
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – After two Southeastern Conference road wins over Alabama and Auburn last week, three members of the Kentucky volleyball team brought home multiple awards for their performances. Senior Ashley Dusek was named both SEC Player and Defensive Player of the Week, sophomore Leah Edmond won SEC Offensive Player of the Week and freshman Madison Lilley won SEC Setter of the Week.
Dusek won her first Player and Defensive Player of the Week awards following stellar defensive performances against Auburn and Alabama. Dusek averaged an impressive 7.14 digs per set, close to three digs above her season average of 4.17. She had the match high in scoops in each win, and produced a season high 28 in the four-setter against the Crimson Tide. Dusek did not commit a reception error in either match. Dusek also chipped in with nine assists and two aces over the seven sets. Dusek, a back-to-back SEC Libero of the Year winner, has seven previous weekly award wins in her career.
Lilley brought home her 10th weekly award after posting two matches with 40 or more assists. Those two victories were her 13th and 14th matches with over 40 assists this season. Against Auburn on Sunday, Lilley directed the offense to the tune of 53 kills while averaging 14.33 assists per set. The Cats hit a blistering .397 as a team and committed just seven errors on 116 swings. Against the Crimson Tide, Lilley had 48 assists while the Cats produced 64 kills and hit .269. Her 13 assists per frame average was well above her already impressive season average of 11.90 assists per frame. Lilley was a threat in all areas as she had eight digs in each match, as well as four blocks, two kills and two aces.
Edmond won her seventh weekly honor after racking up in impressive 5.86 kills per set in Kentucky’s two wins over Alabama and Auburn during this past week, well over her already impressive season average of 4.44. Against Auburn, Edmond had 20 kills and committed just two errors in 36 swings, good for her second-best attacking percentage of the season at .500. Her first match of the week saw her add 21 kills in the four set victory. Edmond was a threat on defense as well, and was one dig short of a double-double against the Tigers and produced 14 over the two sets.
Kentucky will be back in action on Friday when Georgia comes to Memorial Coliseum. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
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