Photo by: Tyler Gallo / Georgia Southern Athletics
Barrett, Gray Earn Sun Belt Weekly Honors
9/10/2024 11:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Barrett named Setter of the Week after averaging 10.14 assists per set over the weekend; Gray hit .343 and averaged 4.43 kills per set to earn Offensive honors
STATESBORO- Outside hitter Jillian Gray was named Sun Belt Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week and setter Kirsten Barrett was named Setter of the Week, the league announced on Tuesday.
Gray was a critical offensive piece in Georgia Southern's 2-0 week, averaging 4.43 kills/set and hitting .343 (31-8-67) with 31 kills. She started with eight kills on 18 swings against Maryland Eastern Shore on Thursday before exploding for a career-high 23 kills on 49 swings against Clemson - recording just four errors (.388) as the Eagles earned their first win over a P4 opponent since 2016.
For the season, Gray leads the Eagles in kills (69) and her 3.63 kills per set is currently 4th in the league as the Eagles enter this week 4-1. Gray's offensive output Saturday against Clemson was the Eagles' first 20-kill performance of 2024, and the first of Gray's career.
Barrett put up gaudy assist numbers during the week, averaging a league-best 10.14 assists per set in the two games. Her 71 assists were fourth in the conference.
She recorded 30 in just three sets on Thursday, followed by a season-high 41 helpers on Saturday in the win over Clemson. Barrett also combined for three blocks, including the game-sealing denial against the Tigers, as well as 15 digs, with a season-high 13 on Saturday.
This year, Barrett is averaging a career-high 8.68 assists per set, recording 165 on the young season. She sits 30 assists from becoming the 15th Eagle to reach the 1,000-assist plateau.
Gray and Barrett join Ashlyn Lovett as GS athletes to win SBC POTW honors this season, as it is the second consecutive week the Eagles had a player take home an award. Gray is the team's first offensive player of the week since 2016, and Barrett is the Eagles' first setter of the week since 2021.
Georgia Southern begins the Eagle Invitational on Thursday against North Carolina A&T.
Gray was a critical offensive piece in Georgia Southern's 2-0 week, averaging 4.43 kills/set and hitting .343 (31-8-67) with 31 kills. She started with eight kills on 18 swings against Maryland Eastern Shore on Thursday before exploding for a career-high 23 kills on 49 swings against Clemson - recording just four errors (.388) as the Eagles earned their first win over a P4 opponent since 2016.
For the season, Gray leads the Eagles in kills (69) and her 3.63 kills per set is currently 4th in the league as the Eagles enter this week 4-1. Gray's offensive output Saturday against Clemson was the Eagles' first 20-kill performance of 2024, and the first of Gray's career.
Barrett put up gaudy assist numbers during the week, averaging a league-best 10.14 assists per set in the two games. Her 71 assists were fourth in the conference.
She recorded 30 in just three sets on Thursday, followed by a season-high 41 helpers on Saturday in the win over Clemson. Barrett also combined for three blocks, including the game-sealing denial against the Tigers, as well as 15 digs, with a season-high 13 on Saturday.
This year, Barrett is averaging a career-high 8.68 assists per set, recording 165 on the young season. She sits 30 assists from becoming the 15th Eagle to reach the 1,000-assist plateau.
Gray and Barrett join Ashlyn Lovett as GS athletes to win SBC POTW honors this season, as it is the second consecutive week the Eagles had a player take home an award. Gray is the team's first offensive player of the week since 2016, and Barrett is the Eagles' first setter of the week since 2021.
Georgia Southern begins the Eagle Invitational on Thursday against North Carolina A&T.
Players Mentioned
Monday, September 14
Monday, September 14
Tuesday, September 08
Monday, September 07
