Strantzali Named ACC Player of the Week
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – University of Miami outside hitter Olga Strantzali is the Atlantic Coast Conference’s first volleyball Player of the Week of the season, the conference announced Monday.
The senior was the main contributor to the Hurricanes’ 3-0 start of the season, totaling 64 kills in wins over Little Rock (22 kills), Southern Miss (22) and Nicholls State (20) at last weekend’s Southern Miss Invitational.
“The Player of the Week [recognition] wouldn’t mean anything without my teammates and coaches,” Strantzali said. “I’m just excited to continue to play with them for the rest of the season.”
Strantzali topped off the tournament with a .468 hitting performance against Nicholls State and was named tournament MVP shortly after. She averaged .306 over the course of the weekend and was also credited with team-high eight service aces and two assists.
“It was a fun weekend for all of us and I’m just happy that I get to go to the gym every day and play with my friends,” Strantzali said. “After a tough last year we are back, trying to get better and better every day.”
Strantzali demonstrated consistency on defense as well, notching a total of 20 digs and contributing a block per match last weekend to secure the third ACC Player of the Week recognition of her career.
“Olga proves, time and time again, that she does not let the conditions dictate her performance,” Miami assistant coach Jillian Hadder said. “Not only is she terminal, she is willing to change. That mindset, spread throughout the team, will determine our success throughout the season.”
Strantzali and the Hurricanes will attempt to continue the momentum at the Homewood Suites Sunshine State Classic this weekend. Miami takes on UCF at 4:30 p.m. on Friday before matches against Florida Atlantic (1:30 p.m.) and host FGCU (7 p.m.) on Saturday.
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