The sophomore is the third Eagle to ever receive the honors
University of Southern Indiana Volleyball sophomore outside hitter Leah Anderson adds AVCA National Player of the Week to her portfolio after she posted colossal numbers in back-to-back sweeps over then-No. 6 Rockhurst and Lindenwood during the USI-hosted GLVC triangular on February 20.
The sophomore is the third Screaming Eagle to ever earn the AVCA National Player of the Week honors and the first since 2011. This follows the outside hitter taking GLVC Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week recognition on Monday, February 22. The two previous Screaming Eagles to garner the AVCA national weekly award were Danielle LaGrange (Oct. 25, 2011) and Laura Ellerbusch (Sept. 26, 2005).
During the two-match weekend, Anderson cut through the Hawk and Lion defense at 5.67 kills per set (34 total), three service aces, and a hitting percentage of .446, amassing 38.5 points (6.42 points per set). The sophomore also flew around the defensive side, laying out for 3.00 digs per set (18 total) and thwarting opponent attacks with three blocks (0.5 per set).
The Illinois-native set a season-high in hitting percentage at .455 against Lindenwood after setting a season-high earlier in the day against Rockhurst at .438. Anderson tied her season high in kills with 17 in both games, also blasting 17 kills against Indianapolis (2/6/2021), and points with 21.0, also recorded 21.0 against No.2 Lewis (then No. 14).
This season, Anderson leads the Eagles in multiple categories while also ranking highly in the GLVCÂ overall in multiple statistical categories. She leads USI in kills (83), kills per set (4.15), services aces (14, 0.70 per set), digs (63, 3.15 per set) and points (101.0, 5.05 per set). In the conference, she leads in points per set at 5.05 while ranking second in service aces per set (0.70) and kills per set (4.15).
UP NEXT & HOW TO WATCH AND FOLLOW:
No. 13 USI (5-1) hits the road for another weekend GLVC divisional crossover, playing Maryville (0-6) and William Jewell (0-7) in St. Louis at Moloney Arena on February 27. USI will first duel Maryville at high noon, then taking on William Jewell at 3 P.M. Both games will be broadcast on GLVCSN.
While fans are not permitted to attend the games, they can watch free of charge on the GLVC Sports Network, which is available both you’re your desktop, mobile/tablet devices, as well as four over-the-top (OTT) platforms, including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Apple TV (4th Generation). GLVCSN.com is the official website of the GLVC Sports Network, while the GLVCSN mobile app is available for iOS in the App Store and Android on Google Play. Apple users also can use AirPlay with their Apple TV or some of the newer smart TVs. (GLVCSN FAQs)
Previews, live game updates, and post game information can be found via USI Athletics (@USIAthletics | #GoUSIEagles) social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
USI Volleyball can be followed directly on Twitter (@USIVolleyball) and Instagram (@USI_wvolleyball) as well for team updates.
