Barth named OVC Setter of the Week for the second time this season
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (Monday, November 2, 2009) – The Ohio Valley Conference named Redhawk seniors Karleigh DeLong(Santiago/Corona, Calif.) and Sarah Barth (Central Community/Germantown, Ill.) their Offensive Player and Setter of the Week respectively for their playing efforts this past weekend. Both players helped the Redhawks to a 1-1 record in a crucial OVC home weekend series.
DeLong averaged 5.29 kills per set and 2.29 digs per set from her rightside hitter position. In seven sets she attempted 90 kills recording 37 kills with just nine attack errors for a .311 attack percentage. She also added two service aces and four block assists to account for 41 of the Redhawks 155 points (27 percent of the Redhawks offensive points).
In the Redhawks 3-1 loss to rival Murray State, DeLong finished with a match-high 21 kills on 52 swings while committing just seven attack errors for a .269 attack percentage. It was the third time this season she has eclipsed 20 kills in a match this season. Defensively she added seven digs.
Against UT Martin she helped spur the Redhawks 3-0 win with a match-best 16 kills including nine in the third and deciding set. The 16 kills are the most by DeLong in a three-set match. Again she led all players with 38 swings while committing just two attack errors for a season-high .368 attack percentage. She also finished with a match-high 20 points thanks to a match-high two service aces and four block assists. Defensively she chipped in nine digs.
Barth showed she is completely recovered from a broken wrist as she averaged 12.00 assists per set while also averaging 2.86 digs per set defensively. She helped quarterback the team to back-to-back matches in which the team hit over .200 as the team finished with a .235 attack percentage in two matches.
Seven of the Redhawks ten matches in which they have recorded attack percentages over .200 Barth has started at setter.
Against Murray State she recorded her third double-double of the season and first since returning from her injury. She handed out a match-high 47 assists and chipped in 13 digs. She also added six kills, a service aces and one block assist.
In the Redhawks win over the Skyhawks she led all players with 37 assists. The total tied her season-high assist mark for three matches. Defensively she added seven digs.
For Barth, a Preseason 2nd Team All-OVC selection, it is the second time this season and the fourth time in her career she has garnered the OVC Setter of the Week award.
DeLong garnered her second career OVC Offensive Player of the Week honor.
The Redhawks multiple winners in one week is the second time this season the Redhawks have accomplished the feat. In the season opening week Emily Hughes (St. Benedict/Memphis, Tenn.) and Barth were named Offensive Player and Setter of the Week.
This season five different Redhawks have won OVC weekly honors for a total of eight awards. Hughes has been named Offensive Player of the Week twice this season and Molly Davis (Burris/Muncie, Ind.) has been named Defensive Player of the Week three times.
The Redhawks hit the courts on the road tomorrow as they travel to Edwardsville, Illinois to take on the Cougars at 7:00 p.m. The Redhawks return home this weekend for their final homestand of the season.
