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Sydney Petersen earns MVC Defensive Player of the Week nod
10/3/2022 3:05:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Petersen receives accolade for second time in 2022 season
ST. LOUIS – For the second time this season, the Missouri Valley Conference announced that UNI libero Sydney Petersen is the MVC Defensive Player of the Week. Petersen previously earned this recognition Sept. 19 at the end of nonconference action.
This week's award makes Petersen the first two-time MVC Defensive Player of the Week this year. She is also the first Panther to win this honor multiple times in the same season since Abbi Staack in 2019.
Petersen posted 5.43 digs per set, a perfect 1.000 reception percentage, and her 100th collegiate ace last week as UNI went 2-0 to improve to 4-0 in MVC play. The Dike, Iowa native opened with a season-best and near-career-high 24 digs Friday at Missouri State and supported UNI's offense with eight assists in a 3-1 triumph. She added 14 more digs Saturday in a 3-0 Panther victory at Southern Illinois. Petersen did not allow any opposing aces on 23 receptions while her own serving produced a near-league-leading 0.57 aces per set for the week with three service winners Saturday featuring the 100th ace of her career.
Along with Petersen's plaudit, the Missouri Valley Conference named Belmont middle blocker Kristen Clemons as MVC Player of the Week and Valparaiso libero Emma Hickey as MVC Freshman of the Week.
Coming up, UNI begins a five-match homestand this weekend. The Panthers will welcome the Bradley Braves to the McLeod Center for a 6 p.m. matchup Friday, Oct. 7 before hosting the Illinois State Redbirds at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8.
This week's award makes Petersen the first two-time MVC Defensive Player of the Week this year. She is also the first Panther to win this honor multiple times in the same season since Abbi Staack in 2019.
Petersen posted 5.43 digs per set, a perfect 1.000 reception percentage, and her 100th collegiate ace last week as UNI went 2-0 to improve to 4-0 in MVC play. The Dike, Iowa native opened with a season-best and near-career-high 24 digs Friday at Missouri State and supported UNI's offense with eight assists in a 3-1 triumph. She added 14 more digs Saturday in a 3-0 Panther victory at Southern Illinois. Petersen did not allow any opposing aces on 23 receptions while her own serving produced a near-league-leading 0.57 aces per set for the week with three service winners Saturday featuring the 100th ace of her career.
Along with Petersen's plaudit, the Missouri Valley Conference named Belmont middle blocker Kristen Clemons as MVC Player of the Week and Valparaiso libero Emma Hickey as MVC Freshman of the Week.
Coming up, UNI begins a five-match homestand this weekend. The Panthers will welcome the Bradley Braves to the McLeod Center for a 6 p.m. matchup Friday, Oct. 7 before hosting the Illinois State Redbirds at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8.
Players Mentioned
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