The University of Akron Athletics
Paluch named MAC East Defensive Co-Player of the Week
September 17 | Women's Volleyball
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CLEVELAND, Ohio – Akron libero Jill Paluch has been named the Mid-American Conference East Division Defensive Co-Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday.
This is the second consecutive week that an Akron player has received a share of the MAC's weekly award, and the first such honor for Paluch in her career.
Paluch was the spearhead of the Akron defense once again last weekend, earning All-Tournament Team recognition as the Zips went 2-1 at the Hampton Inn Invitational at Bryant University with shutout victories over Holy Cross and Bryant.
The junior from Chicago, Ill. scored well above her season average with 5.40 digs per set over the course of the tournament, posting match-high numbers in the win against Bryant with 18 digs and in a four set loss to Northern Kentucky. Paluch's 20 digs against NKU tied her career-high mark that was set in the first match of the season.
In Akron's three matches combined, Paluch posted a .96 receiving percentage with just two errors. Following her lead, as a team the Zips have out-dug their opponents in the last eight consecutive matches.
Buffalo's Kelly Svoboda shares the conference honor with Paluch this week after being named to UB's All-Tournament Team for her performance in wins over Dartmouth, Hartford and Syracuse.
The dueling liberos and Co-Players of the Week will face off this Thursday when the Zips host the Bulls in the MAC opener for both teams. Heading into the match, Akron (7-5) and Buffalo (6-6) are first and second in the MAC East standings. First serve is set for 7 p.m. ET at James A. Rhodes Arena.
