INDIANAPOLIS- Northern Kentucky Outside Hitter Laura Crawford helped lead the Norse to a 3-0 weekend sweep to open their season, was named MVP of the Duquesne Invitational, and has been awarded Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week. NKU freshman Ashton Terrill also assisted the Norse with 4.80 digs per set and six service aces while being named to the All-Tournament team in her collegiate debut. Terrill is the Horizon League Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week.
Offensive Player of the Week | Laura Crawford | Northern Kentucky | Sophomore | Outside Hitter | West Lafayette, Ohio
Laura Crawford was named the MVP of the Duquesne Invitational, leading the Norse to a 3-0 weekend over Robert Morris, Duquesne and Canisius. The sophomore outside hitter averaged a double-double of 14.67 kills and 12.33 digs a match, with her first two career double-doubles against Robert Morris and Duquesne. Against RMU, Crawford recorded 15 kills and 15 digs in the sweep of the Colonials, marking a new career best in digs. She followed it up with a career-best 20 kills to go with 13 digs against Duquesne, and capped off the tournament with nine kills and nine digs in the sweep of Canisius. With an average of 4.40 kills per set, Crawford sits atop the Horizon League standings, and also sits just outside the top-10 in digs per set, with 3.70.
2017 Offensive Players of the Week
August 28 - Lydia DeWeese, Green Bay
September 4 – Laura Crawford, NKU
Defensive Player of the Week | Ashton Terrill | Northern Kentucky | Freshman | Libero | Sparta, Ohio
Ashton Terrill was named to the Duquesne Invitational all-tournament team for her efforts in the back row, helping the Norse go 3-0 with wins over Robert Morris, Duquesne and Canisius. The rookie averaged 4.80 digs per set, which is good for fourth in the League, and had double-digit digs in each showing. In her career debut against RMU, Terrill made 14 scoops and served up two aces, and bested that the next match against Duquesne with 18 digs and four aces. Her aces came in a run that allowed the Norse take the lead against the Dukes, ultimately making a 12-point swing in the third set. Terrill finished up the tournament with 16 digs against Canisius, also adding four assists to her stat line. Terrill currently leads the Horizon League in aces, averaging .60 per set.
2017 Defensive Players of the Week
August 28 - Jessica Helms, IUPUI
September 4 – Ashton Terrill, NKU