Eastern Michigan Athletics
Smith, Rajewski, and Taylor Earn MAC West Honors
9/10/2018 5:51:00 PM | Volleyball
Smith was named Offensive Player of the Week, while collectively, Rajewski and Taylor were named Setter of the Week
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) - For the second time in as many weeks, the Eastern Michigan University volleyball team earned Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the Week honors. Senior Jordan Smith (Solon, Iowa-Solon) was named the MAC West Offensive Player of the Week, while redshirt senior Mallory Rajewski (Midland, Mich.-Midland) and junior Riley Taylor (Indianapolis, Ind.-Perry Meridian) were collectively named MAC West Setter of the Week, the league office announced Monday.
Smith was named the William & Mary Colonial Classic Most Valuable Player after averaging nearly 13 kills per set and hitting .397 over the three-match span. The senior's .652 attack percentage against Norfolk State set a new career-best, and she's now had double-digit kills in 8-of-11 matches this season. Of all the records for the week, the highlight was the Solon, Iowa native becoming the 15th player in Eastern Michigan history to reach the 1,000-kill plateau. Overall, she finished with 53 kills and a .333 attack percentage over four matches, adding 19 digs, 10 aces, and three total blocks.
Rajewski and Taylor executed the 6-2 to perfection over the course of the week, averaging 12.00 assists per set in four matches, culminating in a fantastic showing at the William and Mary Colonial Classic. The pair divvied out an outstanding 42 assists in a three-set sweep over tournament host, William and Mary. The pair also averaged over 10 assists per set in each of the Eagles' three-set sweeps of Norfolk State and Savannah State. The duo holds a strong season average of 11.80 assists per set, and provides fantastic defense with a 5.11 digs per set average.
The trio join senior libero Alyssa LaFace (Allen Park, Mich.-Allen Park) as MAC Player of the Week honorees in the 2018 season, with LaFace picking up Defensive Player of the Week honors Sept. 4.
Eastern Michigan returns to action in its final non-conference tournament of the season, traveling to the Steel City of Pittsburgh to take part in the Robert Morris Invitational, Sept. 14-15. The Eagles will take on the University of Houston, Robert Morris University, and Duquesne University in the two-day event.
Smith was named the William & Mary Colonial Classic Most Valuable Player after averaging nearly 13 kills per set and hitting .397 over the three-match span. The senior's .652 attack percentage against Norfolk State set a new career-best, and she's now had double-digit kills in 8-of-11 matches this season. Of all the records for the week, the highlight was the Solon, Iowa native becoming the 15th player in Eastern Michigan history to reach the 1,000-kill plateau. Overall, she finished with 53 kills and a .333 attack percentage over four matches, adding 19 digs, 10 aces, and three total blocks.
Rajewski and Taylor executed the 6-2 to perfection over the course of the week, averaging 12.00 assists per set in four matches, culminating in a fantastic showing at the William and Mary Colonial Classic. The pair divvied out an outstanding 42 assists in a three-set sweep over tournament host, William and Mary. The pair also averaged over 10 assists per set in each of the Eagles' three-set sweeps of Norfolk State and Savannah State. The duo holds a strong season average of 11.80 assists per set, and provides fantastic defense with a 5.11 digs per set average.
The trio join senior libero Alyssa LaFace (Allen Park, Mich.-Allen Park) as MAC Player of the Week honorees in the 2018 season, with LaFace picking up Defensive Player of the Week honors Sept. 4.
Eastern Michigan returns to action in its final non-conference tournament of the season, traveling to the Steel City of Pittsburgh to take part in the Robert Morris Invitational, Sept. 14-15. The Eagles will take on the University of Houston, Robert Morris University, and Duquesne University in the two-day event.
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