Hill named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week
IRVING, Texas – Kansas volleyball junior middle blocker Zoe Hill is the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced Monday afternoon.
Hill was instrumental in the Jayhawks’ comeback-win against West Virginia (Oct. 3) tallying a career-high 11 blocks. Ten of those 11 blocks came in the final three sets that proved to be the difference maker in the contest.
Kansas trailed 2-0 before finishing the match on a 43-16 run to seal the victory. Hill set the tone in the fifth and final set with four blocks to propel KU to the win.
“During games like the West Virginia one – where you are down two sets and feel the pressure of the possibility of getting swept – it was important going into the third set knowing everyone just needed to do their job,” Hill said. “It felt great to be a part of that comeback and get another win for our fans while protecting our home court. Defense is our comfort zone and it’s that part of our game that we can rely on to win a game, and I am just happy to be a part of it.”
On the week, Hill tallied 17 total blocks – the most by any player in the Big 12 with the next closest coming in at 12 (KU freshman middle blocker Rachel Langs). On the season, Hill ranks second in conference play averaging 1.61 blocks per set.
The honor is Hill’s second Big 12 weekly nod this season and KU’s third of the year in as many weeks. Hill garnered Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors Sept. 24 and Langs followed with the same award Oct. 1.
“Earning this award on its own is an honor, but being able to help keep it on our team the past three weeks is something to be even more proud of,” Hill said. “I think our team’s success has a lot to do with how aggressive and organized our defense is. My teammates are my drive and motivation to get the job done at the net. I know if I’m doing my job, it makes everyone else’s job on the court easier.”
Kansas (11-4, 4-0 Big 12) will have no easy task when it takes its seven-match winning streak into Wednesday night’s Big 12 showdown against No. 4 Texas. The Jayhawks and Longhorns will faceoff on Fox Sports Net from inside Horejsi Family Athletics Center at 8 p.m.
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