Big South Announces Volleyball Players of the Week - Oct. 13

Big South Announces Volleyball Players of the Week - Oct. 13

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (www.BigSouthSports.com) – USC Upstate middle blocker Ady O’Grady (Hilton Head Island, S.C.) has been selected the Big South Volleyball Player of the Week for matches played the opening weekend of the 2025 season, it was announced today.  In addition, Winthrop's Rachel McCollum (Lakeland, Tenn.) is the Setter of the Week while teammate Sophia Matthews (Apex, N.C.) was voted the Libero of the Week. High Point's Maya Bukovcan (Ottawa, Ontario) and USC Upstate's Summer Kohler (North Point, Fla.) have been named the Co-Freshmen of the Week.

O' Grady averaged 3.56 kills per set (32 total) and 4.28 points per set (38.5 total) to help USC Upstate to an unblemished weekend. She complimented her scoring totals with six digs, five total blocks, three service aces and an assist over two matches. She began her weekend with 17 kills behind a .302 hitting efficiency as the Spartans came from down two sets to none to defeat Winthrop. She closed her weekend with 15 kills on a .583 hitting efficiency - a season-best efficiency for the senior.

McCollum tallied 90 assists (11.25 per set), 30 digs (3.75 per set) and 14 kills (1.75 per set) on the weekend. She totaled her second triple-double of the season against USC Upstate with 12 kills, 19 digs and 56 assists - with 56 assists being the highest mark of any Big South athlete this season. She followed up her Friday performance with a double-double in a sweep of UNC Asheville, recording 34 assists and 11 digs.

Matthews played all eight sets for the Eagles as the libero and saved multiple points and rallies defensively. She totaled 46 digs on the weekend and added seven assists to compliment her defensive performance. She helped limit the Spartans to a .170 hitting efficiency as a team with her 31 digs, and helped stymie the Bulldogs offense (.182 hitting efficiency) with 15 digs on Saturday.

Bukovcan recorded 17 kills (2.43 per set) while adding five blocks and two service aces on the weekend. She averaged 3.07 points per set as the Panthers picked up two conference wins. Against Presbyterian the freshman posted 12 kills and hit .550, both career-best marks in four setters.

Kohler led all Big South freshmen in kills and points per set for matches played over the weekend, averaging 3.67 kills per set (33 total) and 4.11 points per set (37.0 total). She began her weekend with 14 kills and 16.5 points in a comeback victory as the Spartans rallied from down two sets to none against the Eagles, before closing her weekend with a career-high-tying 19 kills and a career-best 20.5 points as USC Upstate defeated Gardner-Webb. Kohler added 10 digs against the Runnin' Bulldogs, good for her sixth double-double of the year. 

Also Nominated for Player of the Week: Élodie Lalonde (High Point), Taryn Roberts (Radford), Lydia Pate (UNC Asheville) and Rachel McCollum (Winthrop).
 
Also Nominated for Setter of the Week: Olivia Lefebvre (Gardner-Webb), Allie Gray & Remy Catojo (High Point), Anisa Dorlouis (Presbyterian), Lea Gage & Jackeline Nerro (Radford), Payton Rolfsen (UNC Asheville) and Kamyla Vega David (USC Upstate).
 
Also Nominated for Libero of the Week: Nalani McBride (Gardner-Webb), Kea Whillock (High Point), Miranda Howard (Radford), Michelle Thao (UNC Asheville) and Sophia Overholt (USC Upstate).
 
Also Nominated for Freshman of the Week: Olivia Ryno (Radford) and Addison Torain(Winthrop).