(Story courtesy of Trinity University Sports Information Department)
Lexington, Ky. - Tiger sophomore volleyball player Emily Ellis has been chosen as the Sports Imports/American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III Player of the Week.
Ellis was earlier selected as the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Defensive Player of the Week.
Ellis and the 11th-ranked Tigers sported a 2-1 record last week at the East to West Tournament at St. Louis, Missouri. Trinity defeated sixth-ranked Juniata (PA) College - 2018 NCAA Semifinalists - and California Lutheran University. The Tigers were edged 3-2 by host Washington (MO) University in the final match of the tournament.
Selected for the All-Tournament Team, Ellis turned in a career performance against Juniata with seven blocks, 14 kills and a superb .458 hitting percentage. Ellis increased her total to a career-high eight blocks to go with seven kills against California Lutheran. Ellis finished the tourney with 11 kills and five blocks against Washington, while hitting .318.
Over the three matches, Ellis posted 20 blocks and 32 kills to go with a .359 hitting percentage for the weekend. Ellis has amassed a team-leading 45 blocks on the year, while recording 99 kills and a .346 hitting percentage for second on the team in both categories.
Elliis is just the third Tiger player to receive the national award, as well as being the first since two-time Trinity All-American Kirby Smith was chosen in 2016. All-American Shawn McLaughlin was Trinity's first honoree, selected in 2003.
Led by Head Coach Julie Jenhkins, the Tigers stand at 8-3 this season. Trinity opens SCAC play this weekend in Denver, Colorado, at the Conference Crossover Tournament Friday and Saturday at Johnson & Wales (CO) University. The Tigers take on Austin (TX) College and the University of St. Thomas (TX) Friday, and finish up with Texas Lutheran University and Johnson & Wales Saturday.