UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Seniors Gabby Blossom and Jenna Hampton were each honored by the Big Ten on Monday for their performances in wins over Michigan and Michigan State over the weekend. Blossom was named the Setter of the Week, while Hampton was selected as the Defensive Player of the Week.
Blossom earned her third Big Ten Setter of the Week award this season and the seventh of her career. She averaged 12.33 assists/set and 2.22 digs/set over the two matches. In the four-set win over Michigan, Blossom totaled 54 assists, seven digs, two blocks and one ace. She then led the Lions to a five-set win over Michigan State, recording a double-double with 57 assists and 13 digs. It was her 11th double-double in the past 13 matches.
Hampton went over 20 digs in both matches, finishing with 26 in four sets against the Wolverines and 22 in five sets against the Spartans to give her an average of 5.33/set on the weekend. She has had at least 20 digs in seven of the past 12 matches. Hampton has stepped up in Big Ten play, ranking second in digs/set at 4.70 digs/set. She earned the second Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week award of her career.
Penn State is on the road for two matches this weekend. The Lions play at Michigan on Friday at 7 p.m., and at Michigan State on Saturday at 8 p.m.
