Illinois’ Ali Bastianelli, Minnesota’s Stephanie Samedy, and Wisconsin’s Sydney Hilley and Dana Rettke earn first weekly honors of 2017
Co-Player of the Week/Co-Freshman of the Week
Stephanie Samedy, Minnesota
OPP – Fr. – Clermont, Fla. – East Ridge
Averaged 4.43 kills and 3.86 digs per set with two double-doubles and a .315 hitting percentage in her college debut last weekend, helping No. 4 Minnesota defeat No. 11 North Carolina and Louisville in Madison, Wis.
Had a team-high 14 kills, 12 digs and four block assists in a sweep of UNC
Added a team-best 17 kills, 15 digs and hit .342 in a four-set win over Louisville
Earns her first career Player of the Week award
Last Minnesota Player of the Week: Sarah Wilhite (Nov. 29, 2016)
Earns her first career Freshman of the Week award
Last Minnesota Freshman of the Week: Alexis Hart (Oct. 3, 2016)
Co-Player of the Week/Co-Freshman of the Week
Dana Rettke, Wisconsin
MB – Fr. – Riverside, Ill. – Riverside-Brookfield
Opened her college career last weekend by averaging 5.0 kills and 1.8 blocks per set with a .619 hitting percentage as No. 7 Wisconsin posted sweeps over visiting Louisville and No. 11 North Carolina
Recorded 15 kills and match-high six blocks in win over Louisville
Registered 15 kills and team-best five blocks with a .778 hitting percentage to lead the Badgers past UNC
Garners her first career Player of the Week honor
Last Wisconsin Player of the Week: Molly Haggerty (Nov. 21, 2016)
Garners her first career Freshman of the Week honor
Last Wisconsin Freshman of the Week: Molly Haggerty (Nov. 29, 2016)
Defensive Player of the Week
Ali Bastianelli, Illinois
MB – Jr. – Marysville, Mich. – Marysville
Averaged 2.7 kills and 2.5 blocks per set with a .558 hitting percentage last weekend to pace Illinois to the title at the season-opening Bobcat Classic
Named the tournament Most Valuable Player, highlighted by a career-high 17 kills and match-best nine blocks against tournament host Montana State
Added nine kills and nine blocks with an .818 hitting percentage in the tournament opener against Gonzaga
Named a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and Academic All-Big Ten selection in 2016
Collects her third career Defensive Player of the Week accolade
Last Illinois Defensive Player of the Week: Ali Bastianelli (Nov. 21, 2016)
Setter of the Week
Sydney Hilley, Wisconsin
S – Fr. – Brooklyn Park, Minn. – Champlin
Began her college career last weekend by averaging 13.17 assists and 2.33 digs per set with an .889 hitting percentage while guiding No. 7 Wisconsin to 3-0 wins at home over Louisville and No. 11 North Carolina
Collected her first career double-double against North Carolina with 43 assists and 11 digs
Piloted a Badgers’ offense that hit .340 for the weekend, including .361 in the win over UNC
Receives her first career Setter of the Week citation
Last Wisconsin Setter of the Week: Lauren Carlini (Nov. 21, 2016)