BIG TEN RELEASE
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – After leading the Illinois volleyball team to an undefeated weekend with wins over Chattanooga, Tennessee State and host Missouri State at the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational this past weekend, senior Brandi Donnelly was named the Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced on Monday (September 18) afternoon.
Donnelly earns her fourth career conference defensive player of the week accolade after collecting the honor once a season ago and twice as a sophomore. As a freshman, Donnelly also took home three Big Ten Freshman of the Week accolades.
The Williamsville, Ill., native paced the Illini defense and led all players in the Big Ten with 68 digs for an impressive 5.67 digs per set average, while also contributing 11 assists and an ace in the three Illini wins.
Donnelly had just one receiving error in 49 opportunities and helped the Illini hold their opponents to a .133 hitting percentage – included back-to-back sub-.100 attack percentages for Chattanooga and Tennessee State.
She opened the tournament with a match-high 19 digs against Chattanooga, before turning in a 24-dig performance in three sets against Tennessee State. Donnelly then finished her weekend with 25 digs – just one off her career mark – in a five-set comeback win over Missouri State.
Donnelly and the Illini next head to Bloomington, Ind., to open Big Ten Conference action at Indiana on Wednesday (September 20) at 6 p.m. CT in University Gym.
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