Taylor Sharrits Earns MAC Defensive Player of the Year

Taylor Sharrits Earns MAC Defensive Player of the Year
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CLEVELAND, Ohio – For the first time in program history an Akron women's volleyball player claimed the Mid-American Conference's top defensive honor as Zips' senior libero Taylor Sharrits (Concord, Ohio) was named 2020-21 MAC Defensive Player of the Year and Second Team All-MAC by the league's coaches on Wednesday.

"We're all extremely proud of Taylor and the performance she put in this year to be recognized as the top defensive player in the MAC," Akron head volleyball coach Tom Hanna said. "She has a high volleyball IQ, is a great teammate who leads not only through her words, but in her actions. She was determined to be recognized for her performance on the court and I'm excited that she achieved that goal."

In 90 sets played this season (22 matches), She anchored the Zips' defense with a career-high 535 total digs and 5.94 digs per set. Sharrits currently ranks No. 1 in the NCAA in total digs and No. 5 in the nation in digs per set.

She led the MAC in both categories and rewrote Akron's record book in digs and digs per set, moving to eighth all-time in single-season dig performances, while claiming the best single-season digs per set performance in program history, replacing Lori Snider's mark of 5.41 digs per set in 2004.

Sharrits registered 20 or more digs in 15 matches this season with six performances delivering 30-plus digs, including a career-best 41 digs against Toledo in the Zips' final match victory. That performance ranks third all-time at Akron, tying Sinder's 41-dig effort against Eastern Kentucky in 2004.

Sharrits earned two MAC Defensive Player of the Week honors (3/1 and 3/15) and posted a .958 reception percentage, converting 346 receptions in 361 attempts and committing only 15 receiving errors. She added 67 assists and 15 service aces this season.

To date, Sharrits owns 1,883 career digs in 399 sets played (105 matches), which ranks third all-time at Akron.

2020-21 Mid-American Conference Season Award Winners

2020-21 MAC Coach of the Year
Danijela Tomic, Bowling Green

2020-21 MAC Player of the Year
Rachel Bontrager, Western Michigan

2020-21 MAC Defensive Player of the Year
Taylor Sharrits, Akron

2020-21 MAC Co-Setters of the Year
Hanna Laube, Bowling Green & Logan Case, Western Michigan

2020-21 MAC Freshman of the Year
Logan Case, Western Michigan

2020-21 All-MAC First Team (14 members)
Kia Holder, Ball State
Petra Indrova, Bowling Green
Hanna Laube, Bowling Green
Katelyn Meyer, Bowling Green
Lisbeth Rosario-Martinez, Central Michigan
Savannah Thompson, Central Michigan
Franki Strefling, Eastern Michigan
Sarah Wojick, Miami
Vera Giacomazzi, Ohio
Tia Jimerson, Ohio
Taylor Alt, Toledo
Rachel Bontrager, Western Michigan
Logan Case, Western Michigan
Maggie King, Western Michigan

2020-21 All-MAC Second Team (7 members)
Taylor Sharrits, Akron
Katie Kidwell, Bowling Green
Milla Malik, Buffalo
Alex Haffner, Kent State
Savannah Matthews, Kent State
Avarie Powell, Miami
Lauren Park, Ohio

2020-21 All-Freshman Team (6 members)
Lauren Gilliland, Ball State
Milla Milak, Buffalo
Caitlin O'Farrell, Ohio
Sam Steele, Ohio
Taylor Alt, Toledo
Logan Case, Western Michigan

The University of Akron Athletics

Taylor Sharrits Earns MAC Defensive Player of the Year

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