
Jaali Winters
Photo by: A.J. Olnes
Winters Named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week
9/11/2018 10:15:00 AM | Volleyball
Senior outside hitter had three double-doubles and was named Bluejay Invitational MVP
OMAHA, Neb. -- Creighton Volleyball senior Jaali Winters was named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday in recognition of her 4.54 digs and 3.92 kills per set last week.
Winters had a double-double in all three matches, starting with 18 kills and 18 digs against No. 7 Nebraska on Thursday, as the Bluejays went 2-1 against three teams that were national seeds in the 2017 NCAA Tournament.
She then lifted a career-high 26 digs to go with 15 kills in a win over Iowa State one night later. Winters' 26 digs vs. Iowa State were the most by a Bluejay outside hitter in one match since October 23, 2009 (Allie Oelke), and were the most by any Creighton player in a four-set match since Oct. 4, 2014 (Kate Elman).
The Ankeny, Iowa, native closed out her week with 18 kills and 15 digs in a victory over Wichita State.
Winters was named MVP of the Bluejay Invitational for her efforts.
This is the second time in her career she's been named Defensive Player of the Week by the BIG EAST (also Oct. 31, 2017), but that's hardly her only league honor. Winters has also been named the BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week once, was a six-time BIG EAST Freshman of the Week in 2015, is a three-time First Team All-BIG EAST selection, the 2015 BIG EAST Freshman of the Year, the 2016 BIG EAST Tournament MVP and a three-time BIG EAST All-Academic Team honoree.
Marquette's Allie Barber was named Offensive Player of the Week by the BIG EAST, and Villanova's Clare Delaplane took home Freshman of the Week laurels. Among those on the BIG EAST Honor Roll was Taryn Kloth. The Creighton senior averaged 4.92 kills per set on .312 hitting last week, including a career-high 26 kills vs. No. 7 Nebraska.
No. 10 Creighton (6-3) closes non-conference play this weekend with a trip to Champaign, Ill., for the Illini Classic. CU opens the tournament on Friday at 7 p.m. against Lipscomb, then plays both Northern Iowa (10 a.m.) and No. 8 Illinois (7 p.m.) on Saturday.
Winters had a double-double in all three matches, starting with 18 kills and 18 digs against No. 7 Nebraska on Thursday, as the Bluejays went 2-1 against three teams that were national seeds in the 2017 NCAA Tournament.
She then lifted a career-high 26 digs to go with 15 kills in a win over Iowa State one night later. Winters' 26 digs vs. Iowa State were the most by a Bluejay outside hitter in one match since October 23, 2009 (Allie Oelke), and were the most by any Creighton player in a four-set match since Oct. 4, 2014 (Kate Elman).
The Ankeny, Iowa, native closed out her week with 18 kills and 15 digs in a victory over Wichita State.
Winters was named MVP of the Bluejay Invitational for her efforts.
This is the second time in her career she's been named Defensive Player of the Week by the BIG EAST (also Oct. 31, 2017), but that's hardly her only league honor. Winters has also been named the BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week once, was a six-time BIG EAST Freshman of the Week in 2015, is a three-time First Team All-BIG EAST selection, the 2015 BIG EAST Freshman of the Year, the 2016 BIG EAST Tournament MVP and a three-time BIG EAST All-Academic Team honoree.
Marquette's Allie Barber was named Offensive Player of the Week by the BIG EAST, and Villanova's Clare Delaplane took home Freshman of the Week laurels. Among those on the BIG EAST Honor Roll was Taryn Kloth. The Creighton senior averaged 4.92 kills per set on .312 hitting last week, including a career-high 26 kills vs. No. 7 Nebraska.
No. 10 Creighton (6-3) closes non-conference play this weekend with a trip to Champaign, Ill., for the Illini Classic. CU opens the tournament on Friday at 7 p.m. against Lipscomb, then plays both Northern Iowa (10 a.m.) and No. 8 Illinois (7 p.m.) on Saturday.
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