Sophomore Merideth Jewell has been named OVC Defensive Player of the Week after recording 26 digs and 17 blocks, both which ranked second on the team, in three matches last week. She also ranked near the top of the Offensive Player of the Week voting after finishing with a team-high 42 kills and putting up a .258 hitting efficiency.
Last season, Jewell was named All-OVC, OVC Newcomer of the Year, and OVC Newcomer of the Week five times, primarily for her offensive prowess.
This marks the first time this season that an Eagle has earned a weekly honor. It comes the same week that Morehead State earned its first weekly sweep in OVC play and improved their record to 7-5 in the league.
"I am excited about this award for Merideth," said head coach Jaime Gordon. "She worked extremely hard on her defense in the offseason and it's nice to see it pay off."
While the honor is of the defensive variety, the native of Mt. Washington, Ky. impressed on both ends of the court.
In the four-set win over Tennessee Tech, Jewell finished with a team-high 19 kills and hit .385 for the contest. She controlled the pivotal third set, recording eight kills in just nine attempts. On the defensive end, Jewell added seven block assists and a block solo and her ten digs also tied for the team lead.
Then in the sweep of Jacksonville State, she finished with 14 kills, while hitting .308, and recording seven block assists.
"I think the balance of what she did both at the net and in the back row last week shows what kind of well-rounded player she is becoming," added Gordon.
Morehead State closes its home schedule on Wednesday night against Eastern Kentucky at 7 p.m. ET before finishing OVC play with three straight matches away from Wetherby Gym.
The Eagles have won two straight, three of their last four, and four of their last six matches.
"Hopefully we can build on these performances as we head into the final stretch of the season," said Gordon.
Story provided by (Morehead State Athletics)