Hays, Spann Named Southland Volleyball Players of the Week
FRISCO, Texas - Central Arkansas junior outside hitter Jessica Hays and Northwestern State senior middle blocker Laranda Spann were named offensive and defensive players of the week respectively. Hays powered UCA to a 3-1 start while Spann's defensive presence led the Lady Demons to just their fourth 3-0 start in program history.
Offensive Player of the Week - Jessica Hays, Central Arkansas
Hays, a native of Friendswood, Texas, guided the Sugar Bears to a 3-1 record at the UniWyo Wyoming Invite by averaging 4.62 kills per set earning all-tournament team honors. She had 60 kills in four matches and averaged 0.92 aces and 2.92 digs per set. Hays hit .312 with 14 kills and 13 digs in the win over Northern Arizona. She recorded a career-best six aces with nine kills and eight digs in the loss to Wyoming. She came up with her second double-double of the weekend with 15 kills and 10 digs against Murray State and ended the tournament by tying her career-high with 22 kills against Southern Utah.
Honorable Mention: Kourtney Adams, Northwestern State; Courtney Donald, Southeastern Louisiana; Madeline Gaffney, Texas State.
Defensive Player of the Week - Laranda Spann, Northwestern State
Spann, a native of Baton Rouge, La., helped the Lady Demons go 3-0 for the weekend and was named to the Arkansas State Classic All-Tournament team. It's just the fourth time in school history Northwestern has started the season 3-0 while the three wins already matches the victory total from all of last season. Spann averaged 1.2 blocks per set and 2.1 kills per set over the weekend. She had a high of eight blocks in a 3-1 win over Louisiana Tech in the season opener.
Honorable Mention: Kaylee Hawkins, Sam Houston State; Madison Hanlan, Stephen F. Austin; Kelsey Jewasko, UTSA; Micah Nolan, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi; Jennifer Niece, Texas State.