Sept. 25, 2017
AUBURN, Ala. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" Senior Jesse Earl of the Auburn volleyball team was named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday.
Earl, a libero from Indianapolis, guided the Tigers to a 2-0 start in SEC play as the team picked up a pair of wins on the road. She averaged 6.29 digs/set to lead all student-athletes in the conference this weekend and she upped her season average to 4.90. That mark is also best in the SEC.
With her help, Earl and the Tigers limited their two opponents to a .137 hitting percentage over seven sets played.
Against Ole Miss, Earl had a match-high 26 digs in the 3-1 win in Oxford. That total was the most by any in four sets in conference play. In addition, she added two aces and went a perfect 24-for-24 in serve receive.
In Auburn's sweep at Georgia, Earl once again led all student-athletes in the match with 18 digs and once again, that total was the most recorded in three sets vs. conference opponents only. She added another ace in the match, while finishing 12-for-12 in serve receive.
In addition to being the SEC's best in digs/set average, Earl also ranks t-3rd overall in aces (.50/set).
At 9-2 overall, Auburn is off to its best start since the 2013 season.
The Tigers finally return to The Plains after two weeks on the road, hosting Missouri and Arkansas in Auburn Arena. The two Tiger squads face off at 7 p.m. CT, Sept. 29, and the Razorbacks come to town for a 1:30 p.m. CT match, Oct. 1. Both contests will be broadcast on SEC Network+.
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