HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Juniata College senior opposite Paige Johnston (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield) has been named the Sports Imports/American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III National Player of the Week, according to a release issued Tuesday afternoon by the AVCA.
Johnston averaged 3.31 kills per set over four matches while leading Juniata to a perfect 4-0 week, including a win over a Division II opponent.
She totaled 43 kills over the four matches, including 17 kills in a 3-1 victory over Division II regional power California University of Pennsylvania – just two shy of her season high. For the week, she hit .368 with just eight errors on 95 swings. Johnston logged 10 service aces over the week, including four against California, for an impressive 0.77 ace per set average. She also amassed 35 digs over the week, averaging 2.69 per set.
For her efforts in Juniata's 3-0 performance in the 2009 Wid Guisler Invitational tournament, Johnston was named to the All-Tournament Team. She was also named the Landmark Conference's Women's Volleyball Player of the Week on Monday.
Johnston's honor marks the 13th time a Juniata women's volleyball player has earned Sports Imports/AVCA Division III National Player of the Week honors. The last previous winner of the award was Amber Thomas on September 17, 2007.
Juniata (27-2) completes its 2009 regular season this weekend when it travels to San Antonio, Texas, for three matches in the Trinity National Invitational. The Eagles will face the host squad from Trinity University (Texas) on Friday, followed by matches against Wittenberg University and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh on Saturday.
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