Arissa Smith Earns First SEC Defensive Player of the Week Honor
November 04, 2024 | Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Fresh off the heels of a career-best performance against Texas A&M, Arissa Smith was named SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week, the conference announced on Monday.
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"I am so proud of Ris. She is having a breakout sophomore season and it's the result of months of hard work that she has put in," head coach Julie Darty Dennis said. "She holds herself to such a high standard. She works hard for the team and deserves everything she has earned."
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The sophomore from Missouri City, Texas, set a new career-high with nine total blocks. Smith's nine blocks were the second-most of any Bulldog all season and the second-most Texas A&M had given up to any single player this season. On the week, Smith averaged 3.00 blocks per set, which was at least double of any other player in the Southeastern Conference.
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On the offensive side of the net, Smith attacked at a team-best .462 on 13 swings against Texas A&M, leading Mississippi State to a .361 hitting percentage, the best mark for the Bulldogs all season. Smith currently leads the Southeastern Conference and ranks third in the nation with her hitting percentage of .457. On top of her efficient attacking, Smith set a new career-high with two service aces in the matchup against the Aggies.
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Smith becomes the 22nd player in the Darty Dennis era to win an SEC Player of the Week honor and the 11th to win the Defensive Player of the Week honor. Smith picked up the third SEC weekly honor of the season for the Bulldogs after freshman McKenna Yates picked up two earlier this season.
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Smith and the Bulldogs are set for a two-game homestand against Texas and Oklahoma this week. First serve for Wednesday's match against Texas is set for 6 p.m. on SECN+.
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Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on volleyball. Fans can also follow the program on social media by searching 'HailStateVB' on X, Facebook and Instagram.Â
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"I am so proud of Ris. She is having a breakout sophomore season and it's the result of months of hard work that she has put in," head coach Julie Darty Dennis said. "She holds herself to such a high standard. She works hard for the team and deserves everything she has earned."
Â
The sophomore from Missouri City, Texas, set a new career-high with nine total blocks. Smith's nine blocks were the second-most of any Bulldog all season and the second-most Texas A&M had given up to any single player this season. On the week, Smith averaged 3.00 blocks per set, which was at least double of any other player in the Southeastern Conference.
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On the offensive side of the net, Smith attacked at a team-best .462 on 13 swings against Texas A&M, leading Mississippi State to a .361 hitting percentage, the best mark for the Bulldogs all season. Smith currently leads the Southeastern Conference and ranks third in the nation with her hitting percentage of .457. On top of her efficient attacking, Smith set a new career-high with two service aces in the matchup against the Aggies.
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Smith becomes the 22nd player in the Darty Dennis era to win an SEC Player of the Week honor and the 11th to win the Defensive Player of the Week honor. Smith picked up the third SEC weekly honor of the season for the Bulldogs after freshman McKenna Yates picked up two earlier this season.
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Smith and the Bulldogs are set for a two-game homestand against Texas and Oklahoma this week. First serve for Wednesday's match against Texas is set for 6 p.m. on SECN+.
Â
Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on volleyball. Fans can also follow the program on social media by searching 'HailStateVB' on X, Facebook and Instagram.Â
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Players Mentioned
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