University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Tayler Alden named Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week
11/7/2022 2:40:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Southpaw setter’s stellar road trip recognized with league plaudit
ST. LOUIS – UNI setter Tayler Alden is the Missouri Valley Conference's Player of the Week after posting 11.00 assists per set, 2.33 kills per set, and a league-high .619 attack percentage this past weekend while directing a UNI offense that hit .370 across back-to-back road sweeps at the Illinois State Redbirds and the Bradley Braves.
Alden, who is the first Panther to earn MVC Player of the Week distinction since Rachel Koop received this accolade back on Nov. 11, 2019, previously received weekly award recognition as the MVC Freshman of the Week two times within the 2020 season.
In Friday's win at Illinois State, Alden tallied 30 assists and went seven-of-nine on her own attempts for a Panther side that registered a season-best .378 clip. The southpaw had 36 assists in just three sets Saturday along with seven more kills and led a .364 team attack at Bradley. In the win, she eclipsed 1,000 assists in a season for the first time and pushed her career total to 2,578 assists to pass Kinsey Caldwell (2,549) for 10th in UNI history.
The Oconomowoc, Wisconsin native was joined in this week's MVC awards announcement by Valparaiso Beacons middle hitter Mallory Januski and Drake Bulldogs setter Addison Beagle. Januski was selected as the MVC Defensive Player of the Week, and Beagle was tabbed as the MVC Freshman of the Week.
Coming up soon, the Panthers welcome the Southern Illinois Salukis and the Missouri State Bears to the McLeod Center for the final UNI homestand of the year. UNI squares off with Southern Illinois at 6 p.m. Friday on Military Appreciation Night before taking on Missouri State at 5 p.m. Saturday on Senior Night. The Panthers have a magic number of two in their pursuit of an outright regular season championship, and any UNI win or Drake Bulldogs loss would clinch at least a share of the title.
Alden, who is the first Panther to earn MVC Player of the Week distinction since Rachel Koop received this accolade back on Nov. 11, 2019, previously received weekly award recognition as the MVC Freshman of the Week two times within the 2020 season.
In Friday's win at Illinois State, Alden tallied 30 assists and went seven-of-nine on her own attempts for a Panther side that registered a season-best .378 clip. The southpaw had 36 assists in just three sets Saturday along with seven more kills and led a .364 team attack at Bradley. In the win, she eclipsed 1,000 assists in a season for the first time and pushed her career total to 2,578 assists to pass Kinsey Caldwell (2,549) for 10th in UNI history.
The Oconomowoc, Wisconsin native was joined in this week's MVC awards announcement by Valparaiso Beacons middle hitter Mallory Januski and Drake Bulldogs setter Addison Beagle. Januski was selected as the MVC Defensive Player of the Week, and Beagle was tabbed as the MVC Freshman of the Week.
Coming up soon, the Panthers welcome the Southern Illinois Salukis and the Missouri State Bears to the McLeod Center for the final UNI homestand of the year. UNI squares off with Southern Illinois at 6 p.m. Friday on Military Appreciation Night before taking on Missouri State at 5 p.m. Saturday on Senior Night. The Panthers have a magic number of two in their pursuit of an outright regular season championship, and any UNI win or Drake Bulldogs loss would clinch at least a share of the title.
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