BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – If Kendal Kemp hadn't already put the Southeastern Conference on notice, she certainly has now. Following an 11-kill, nine-block performance on the road at Ole Miss, Kemp has been named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week the conference announced Monday.
Kemp, the freshman from Eagan, Minnesota was simply electric in Oxford. Securing a career-best 11 kills on a .600 hitting percentage, Kendal nearly grabbed a double-double adding another nine blocks, including three solo efforts.
The 6-6 middle blocker now has 144 total blocks on the season, resetting the Auburn single-season record with three regular season matches still on the calendar. Her 1.43 blocks per set is No. 12 in the nation and would also be an Orange and Blue record if the season ended today.
The award marks the third time this season Kemp has picked up a weekly honor and the first Defensive Player of the Week recognition of her career. It's also the ninth SEC Weekly award for head coach Brent Crouch's Tigers, adding to the most in single-season program history.
Auburn returns to action on Nov. 23 for a short trip to Columbia, South Carolina to take on the Gamecocks. The Tigers will wrap up the regular season at home versus Arkansas on Nov. 25 and 26.