Aug. 30, 2021

View Online: https://bit.ly/21VBWeek1Awards

Wolverines’ Grant, Huskers’ Rodriguez, Buckeyes’ Davis and Badgers’ Hilley and Rettke are the first weekly honorees of the 2021 season

Player of the Week

Dana Rettke, Wisconsin

Grad. – MB – Riverside, Ill. – Riverside-Brookfield – Graduate Major: Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis

• Averaged 3.33 kills and 1.67 blocks per set with a .541 attack percentage (no errors on 37 swings) in Wisconsin’s victories over TCU and No. 10 Baylor last weekend at the Big Ten/Big 12 Challenge in Madison, Wis.

• Tallied 14 kills, seven blocks and a .538 attack percentage in the win over Baylor on Aug. 28

• A three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree (2018, 2019, 2020)

• Earns her 10th career Player of the Week honor

• Last Wisconsin Player of the Week: Dana Rettke (Jan. 25, 2021)

Defensive Player of the Week

Hannah Grant, Michigan

So. – L – Northville, Mich. – Northville – Major: Psychology

• Anchored the Wolverines’ defense at last weekend’s LSU Tiger Classic with 6.14 digs per set while going a perfect 42-of-42 in serve receive in wins over LSU and Florida State

• Collected 25 digs in the season-opening win over the host Tigers on Aug. 27

• Followed that up less than 24 hours later with 18 digs in the victory over FSU

• Garners her first career Defensive Player of the Week accolade

• Last Michigan Defensive Player of the Week: Jenna Lerg (Oct. 8, 2018)

Setter of the Week

Sydney Hilley, Wisconsin

Grad. – S – Brooklyn Park, Minn. – Champlin Park – Graduate Major: Applied Biotechnology

• Averaged 12.14 assists, 1.86 digs and 0.57 blocks per set last week in Wisconsin’s two wins at the Big Ten/Big 12 Challenge in Madison, Wis., including a victory over 10th-ranked Baylor

• Registered her first double-double of the season in the four-set win over Baylor with 46 assists and 10 digs

• Twice named a CoSIDA first-team Academic All-American (2019, 2020)

• A three-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and Academic All-Big Ten selection (2018, 2019, 2020)

• Collects her 13th career Setter of the Week plaudit

• Last Wisconsin Setter of the Week: Sydney Hilley (Jan. 25, 2021)

Co-Freshman of the Week

Lexi Rodriguez, Nebraska

DS/L – Sterling, Ill. – Sterling – Major: Undeclared

• Led Nebraska with 5.14 digs per set in a pair of wins at the Husker Invitational last weekend in Lincoln, Neb.

• Recorded a match-high 21 digs in a four-set win over Kansas State on Aug. 28

• Added a match-best 15 digs in Nebraska’s season-opening victory over Colgate on Aug. 27

• Receives her first career Freshman of the Week award

• Last Nebraska Freshman of the Week: Madi Kubik (Nov. 18, 2019)

Co-Freshman of the Week

Arica Davis, Ohio State

MB – Raleigh, N.C. – North Raleigh Christian Academy – Major: Biology

• Averaged 2.57 blocks per set in Ohio State’s two wins at the Sports Imports Classic last weekend in Columbus, highlighted by a victory over fourth-ranked (and 2020 NCAA Final Four participant) Washington

• Tied a program record with 13 blocks, including a school-record 12 block assists, and added six kills with a .455 attack percentage in the Buckeyes’ season-opening win over Northern Kentucky on Aug. 27

• Registered five blocks in OSU’s marquee win over Washington on Aug. 28

• Receives her first career Freshman of the Week award

• Last Ohio State Freshman of the Week: Rylee Rader (March 15, 2021)

2021 Big Ten Players of the Week

Aug. 30
P: Dana Rettke, Grad., WIS

D: Hannah Grant, So., MICH

S: Sydney Hilley, Grad., WIS

F: Lexi Rodriguez, NEB

F: Arica Davis, OSU

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