INDIANAPOLIS, IND. – Cleveland State sophomore Kara Koch has been named Horizon League Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week, while Valparaiso sophomore Taylor Root has earned Defensive Player of the Week honors for the period of Aug. 30-Sept. 5.
Koch, an outside hitter from West Salem, Ohio, collected 53 kills (4.42 kills per set) and 20 digs for the Vikings last week. She notched a career-high 25 kills over Marshall to clinch the Thunder Invitational Title for CSU on Saturday. Koch also registered one ace and three block-assists on the weekend earning Tournament MVP accolades.
Root, a libero from Jenison, Mich., picks up the award for the second straight week after recording 80 digs (6.15 dps) in 13 sets for the Crusaders last week. She notched a career-high 35 digs against Appalachian State winning the tournament title, Valpo’s second consecutive crown in two weeks. Root also recorded 16 assists and two aces earning All-Tournament Team honors at the Appalachian Invitational.
Valparaiso returns to action on Tuesday when travels to Indiana State for a 7 p.m. ET match. Cleveland State hosts George Washington on Friday for a 7 p.m. ET contest.
Offensive Players of the Week
Aug. 30 Jessica Wolfe, Butler
Sept. 6 Kara Koch, Cleveland State
Defensive Players of the Week
Aug. 30 Taylor Root, Valparaiso
Sept. 6 Taylor Root, Valparaiso
