SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – After earning three more wins over the weekend and remain undefeated this season, Kansas City’s Kaia Dunford and Leah Green were named the TicketSmarter Summit League Volleyball Peak Performers of the Week, league officials announced on Tuesday.
Dunford, who collected the offensive accolade, was named the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational MVP after she notched a team-high 46 kills with 51 digs. In a reverse sweep of Missouri State, Dunford posted 20 kills with 18 digs and earned a .286 hitting percentage.
The Waimealo, Hawaii native recorded her second straight double-double over the weekend in a sweep of Arkansas – Pine Bluff as the senior tallied 15 kills and 11 digs with a .389 hitting percentage. Dunford closed things out in a four-set win against UT Martin where the outside hitter notched her third double-double of the weekend and fifth overall with 11 kills and season-high 22 digs.
Green, who received the defensive nod, was named to the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational All-Tournament team after collecting 68 digs in a trio of wins. The Fate, Texas native averaged 5.67 digs per set, garnered 15 assists and posted five service aces.
Against the Bears, Green spearheaded the Roos’ defense with a team-high 20 digs. In the next match against the Golden Lions, the junior defensive specialist led the charge with 14 digs and four assists. Green closed out the tournament with a career-high 34 digs against the Skyhawks.
Kaia Dunford, Kansas City
Sr. | OH | Waimealo, Hawaii
- Claimed the first offensive weekly award of her career
- Named the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational MVP after finishing with 46 kills with a .271 hitting percentage
- Helped the Roos win the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational with three victories where she totaled a team-high 20 kills with a .286 in a five-set win against Missouri State
- Notched a .389 hitting percentage with 15 kills and 11 digs in a sweep of Arkansas – Pine Bluff
- Wrapped up the tournament with her third double-double of the weekend with 11 kills and a season-high 22 digs against UT Martin
Also nominated: Ali Hinze (North Dakota State), McCallister Gayle (North Dakota), Trinity Freeman (Oral Roberts), Sylvie Zgonc (South Dakota State), Madison Harms (South Dakota), Ellie Gustafson (St. Thomas).
Leah Green, Kansas City
Jr. | DS/L | Fate, Texas
- Collected the first career defensive peak performer of the week honor
- Named to the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational All-Tournament team after collecting 68 digs in three wins
- Tallied a career-high 34 digs against UT Martin
- Garnered 15 assists (1.25 per set), 5.67 digs per set and five service aces
Also nominated: Taylor Quan (North Dakota State), Maddy Hornyak (North Dakota), Stella Winterfeld (South Dakota State), Avery Van Hook (South Dakota), Erica Fava (Omaha), Breanna Rivas (Oral Roberts), Megan Wetter (St. Thomas).
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
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