SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – North Dakota State junior outside hitter Morgan Middleton and South Dakota senior middle blocker Madison Harms collected the latest TicketSmarter Summit League Volleyball Peak Performers of the Week, league officials announced on Tuesday.
Middleton, who earned the offensive nod, helped the Bison to a 2-0 mark at the NDSU Tournament where she posted a team-high 24 kills and averaged 4.00 kills per set. The Clarion, Iowa native recorded a .467 hitting percentage and has reached double figures in kills in each of her last four matches.
In a sweep against Toledo, Middleton notched a career-high 14 kills and tacked on two digs. Against Portland State, she and the Bison cruised to another sweep where she collected 10 kills, three blocks and two digs.
Harms, who earned the defensive award, was named to the South Dakota Classic All-Tournament team after leading USD to a 2-1 weekend. She totaled 23 blocks for an average of 1.77 blocks per set. The Sergeant Bluff, Iowa native recorded her first career double-double putting up 14 kills while adding a season and match-high 12 blocks against Drake. Her 14 kills came on 29 attempts to hit .379 in the match.
The senior put together another well-rounded match with five kills and six blocks, including one solo block in a sweep over IUPUI. In a thrilling five-set victory over South Florida, Harms registered 14 kills, five blocks and one dig.
Morgan Middleton, North Dakota State
Jr. | OH | Clarion, Iowa
- Collected the first career offensive peak performer of the week honor
- Posted a team-high 24 kills averaged a team-best 4.00 kills per set going 2-0 at the NDSU Tournament
- Reached double figure kills in each of the last four matches, including a career-high 14 kills in the sweep over Toledo
- Contributed four digs and three blocks on the defensive side
Also nominated: McKenna Ruch (Omaha), Paige Barber (North Dakota), Katie Van Egdom (South Dakota State), Trinity Freeman (Oral Roberts), Madison Harms (South Dakota), Sydney Henry (Kansas City), Megan Wetter (St. Thomas).
Madison Harms, South Dakota
Sr. | MB | Sergeant Bluff, Iowa
- Garnered the fourth career defensive peak performer of the week award and seventh overall weekly nod
- Named to the South Dakota Classic All-Tournament Team after totaling 23 blocks for an average of 1.77 blocks per set in two wins
- Posted first career double-double putting up 14 kills adding a season and match-high 12 blocks against Drake
- Collected three solo blocks and three digs
Also nominated: Taylor Quan (North Dakota State), Shayla McCormick (Omaha), Marissa Stockman (North Dakota), Stella Winterfeld (South Dakota State), Thaynara de Jesus (Oral Roberts), Carly Gillen (Kansas City).
2023 Volleyball Players of the Week
August 29
O: Ali Hinze, North Dakota State
D: Carley Gillen, Kansas City
September 5
O: Kaia Dunford, Kansas City
D: Leah Green, Kansas City
September 11
O: Morgan Middleton, North Dakota State
D: Madison Harms, South Dakota
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