McDaniel is just the fourth Owl to record 70 or more assists in a single match in school history.
HOUSTON – Rice sophomore Madison McDaniel added to her list of 2015 accolades by being named the Sports Imports/AVCA Division I National Player of the Week, the American Coaches Volleyball Association announced Tuesday afternoon.
McDaniel (The Woodlands, Texas) is just the second player in Rice history to receive the honor, joining Tiffany Carrethers (Nov. 2, 1998). She is also only the eighth athlete in C-USA history to win the award and the first C-USA setter (second-ever) to take home the honor since UCF’s Rachel Vukson won it in 2011.
McDaniel, who earned her fifth C-USA Setter of the Week award on Monday, helped guide the Owls to a pair of wins last week, including an upset of then No. 22 WKU by orchestrating the offense to near perfection. In eight total sets last week McDaniel averaged 13.62 assists per set and 3.38 digs per set while the Owls averaged 16.75 kills per frame.
The Arizona State transfer posted a career-high 70 assists, along with 12 digs, in the Owls’ 3-2 upset over the Lady Toppers. The 70 assists were the most in a single-match in C-USA this season and McDaniel became just the fourth Owl to notch 70 or more assists in a single match in school history. McDaniel began the week with a 39-assists/15-dig performance in a 3-0 sweep of Southern Miss.
“Madison’s performance last week, both from the offensive and defensive perspective, was exceptional,” Rice head coach Genny Volpe said. “Her determination and focus on putting her hitters in the best position possible to score all season has really paid off. We are very proud of Madison and the team’s performance and I’m happy to see it recognized on a national level.”
The Owls will be in search of their third consecutive victory when they travel to UTSA to face the Roadrunners on Wednesday with first serve scheduled for 6 p.m.
