Rath tabbed SEC Offensive Player of the Week

Rath tabbed SEC Offensive Player of the WeekRath tabbed SEC Offensive Player of the Week

Graphic: Rebekah Rath SEC Offensive Player of the Week

BIRMINGHAM – After a second straight week of serving as Auburn volleyball's top attacker, junior outside hitter Rebekah Rath was selected as Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday.

Rath helped the Tigers to back-to-back sweeps over Cal State Fullerton and Southeastern Louisiana last week. Auburn volleyball is now off to its first 4-0 start since the 2015 season. The Tigers have won all four of their contests in straight sets, marking the first time the program has started a season with four consecutive sweeps since 2009.

Against the Titans, Rath led the team with 16 kills, matching her season high, and hit at a .262 percentage. She added an ace from the service line. Defensively, she recorded 10 digs for her first double-double as a Tiger.

Rath followed up that performance with another 16-kill effort versus the Lady Lions. Rath closed the night with a .275 attack percentage and an ace. Rath totaled four stuff blocks at the net and rounded out her defensive play with seven digs.

She is the only Tiger this season to record double-digit kills in every match to start the 2021 season. She currently leads the SEC in both kills per set (5.33) and points per set (6.08). She ranks fourth and third, respectively, in the NCAA in both categories.

The recognition is the first in Rath's career since transferring to the Plains. The Altamonte Springs, Fla., native is the first Auburn Tiger to be named SEC Offensive Player of the Week since Brenna McIlroy won the award on Oct. 30, 2017.

The undefeated Tigers will return to the court on Thursday versus North Alabama. First serve from Auburn Arena is set for 6 p.m. CT. Thursday match will be streamed via SEC Network+.