SOPHIE MERRIFIELD OF COLORADO COLLEGE, a senior defensive specialist from Fairfax, Ca., has been named SCAC Volleyball Defenseive Player-of-the-Week for matches played from Tuesday, October 20th through Sunday, October 25th.  

Merrifield averaged 20 digs per match as CC went 4-0 at last week's cross divisional matches, which included a 12-1 record in individual sets. She also had a .967 success ratio on serve reception, with only two errors on 61 attempts. The Tigers held its four opponents to a combined .087 attack percentage. Three of four opponents hit less than .100, including No. 11 Southwestern which hit .092 (37-24-142).

Merrifield recorded a season-high 32 digs in a four-set victory over Trinity. Colorado College improved to 29-2 overall and clinched the SCAC regular-season championship with a 14-0 record, the first time CC went undefeated in conference play. It also marked the first time the SCAC had an undefeated regular-season champion since 2009. 

Other outstanding performances in the SCAC:

Junior defensive specialist Andie Alford of Southwestern University led the Pirates in digs with 64 and averaged 5.33 digs per set. Sophomore middle blocker Rebekah Bowden of Austin College totaled 26 blocks for an average of 1.18 for the week to go along with 2.18 kills per set and a .391 hitting percentage. Senior defensive specialist Shannon Courtney of Trinity University averaged 4.21 digs/set for the weekend, which included two 3-0 wins over Centenary and Dallas, as well as a 3-2 defeat of Austin College. Junior libero Jessie Koster of Dallas compiled 112 digs in four matches.