Espinoza, Dollar named RRAC Players of the Week
SAGU Volleyball Players Honored
By Darin David, RRAC Sports Information Director
WACO, Texas -- Bailey Bunting of Texas Wesleyan stood out as the Red River Athletic Conference Volleyball Player of the Week for the dates of Sept. 5-11. In addition, Bunting shares the RRAC Hitter of the Week award with Danica Markovic of the University of Texas-Brownsville, while UTB's Amber Brooks and Carleigh Dollar of Southwestern Assemblies of God University (Texas) were named RRAC Co-Setters of the Week. UTB's Paula Barros and SAGU's Laura Espinoza are Co-Liberos of the Week.
Bunting, a freshman middle blocker from Flower Mound, Texas, recorded 35 kills and a .352 hitting percentage in four matches at the Point Loma Nazarene University Seaside Invitational. She made just 10 errors in 71 total attacks and also provided nine blocks. Bunting accounted for 13 kills in a 3-2 loss to The Master's University (Calif.). TWU dropped to 4-7 on the season.
Markovic, a sophomore outside hitter from Subotica, Serbia, resurfaced after being named NAIA National Player of the Week one week ago. Her encore included 3.4 kills and 3.7 digs per game as the top-ranked Scorpions remained unbeaten at 11-0. Markovic had 13 kills to crush Bryan College (Tenn.) and nine to overcome NAIA #2 Lee University (Tenn.).
Brooks, a senior setter from Alvin, Texas, is recognized for the second consecutive week with 89 assists (9.9 per game) in three matches for UTB. She compiled 37 assists against Bryan and chipped in 16 digs on the week.
Dollar cashes in as Setter of the Week
Dollar, a sophomore right side from Brock, Texas, had 82 assists in a 1-3 week for the Lady Lions. She led the way with 36 assists to propel SAGU to a 3-2 win over Howard Payne University (Texas). Dollar also contributed 36 digs on the week.
Barros, a junior right side from Sao Paulo, Brazil, scooped 53 digs including 23 against Bryan to be a repeat winner of the libero award. She committed only three errors in 46 receiving attempts and had eight service aces.
Espinoza Continues super senior season
Espinoza, a senior libero from Duncanville, Texas, reached 95 digs for the week, including a high of 35 in a 3-2 loss to Austin College (Tx). She made just one receiving error in 96 total attempts.
Honorable Mention
SAGU's Krystal Cisneros (El Paso, Tx), UTB's Ana Guerra, SeKeya Roberson of Texas College and Magda Santos of Wiley College (Texas) were additional player/hitter of the week nominees. Wiley's Eileen Burbano and TWU's Stephanie Dominguez were nominated for setter of the week. Wiley's Erica Brown and TWU's Marissa Rangel were nominated for libero of the week.
Article posted on the Red River Athletic Conference website on Sunday, September 11. Fans can access the site by clicking on the link in the left column of the Athletics home page.
