Bradley University Athletics

Emma Raleigh Named MVC Defensive Player Of The Week

Volleyball 10/14/2019 2:41:00 PM

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Junior libero/defensive specialist Emma Raleigh (Cullowhee, N.C./Smoky Mountain) has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week according to an announcement by the league office Monday afternoon.

Raleigh helped anchor a Bradley defense which averaged 26.62 digs per set in two road matches, by averaging an impressive 8.75 digs per set. She also served up six aces (0.75 per set) and averaged 1.38 assists per set for the week. Raleigh tied for match-high honors with 22 digs in addition to tallying eight assists and two aces in Friday's four-set match at then league-leading Northern Iowa before a record-setting performance in Saturday's four-set win at Drake.

She tallied a MVC match record 48 digs in the victory against the Bulldogs to break the previous record of 46 digs by Missouri State's Cara Hackmann vs. Evansville on Oct. 10, 2009, helping Bradley to highest team dig total (126) in the country this season. Raleigh's 48 digs were the most at the NCAA Division I level since 2016 and highest dig total in the country in a four-set match since 2008. Raleigh also served up a career-best four aces in the victory over Drake.

Raleigh has taken over as Bradley's libero for the last seven matches, averaging 5.69 digs per set during that stretch and is fourth in the MVC at 5.85 digs per set in league action.

The MVC Defensive Player of the Week honor is the first for Raleigh and marks the fourth time over the last two seasons a Bradley player has garnered the honor.

The Braves currently lead the nation in digs per set (19.94) after ranking second nationally in the category in 2018.

Tied for third in the MVC standings at 4-2, Bradley returns home to open a two-match home stand Friday with a 6 p.m. contest against Valparaiso at Renaissance Coliseum.

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Players Mentioned

#34 Emma Raleigh: DS/L; 5' 8"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#34 Emma Raleigh
: 5' 8"; Junior
: DS/L

Emma Raleigh Named MVC Defensive Player Of The Week

Players Mentioned

#34 Emma Raleigh

Players Mentioned

#34 Emma Raleigh