ST LOUIS – Illinois State senior Kaitlyn Early was named the Missouri Valley Conference's Offensive Player of the Week, the league announced Monday. Early has earned the weekly honor twice this season, having previously earned the recognition on Sept. 22.
Early, a setter from Wildwood, Missouri, helped the Redbirds to a weekend sweep of matches over Loyola and Bradley as the Redbirds maintained their grip on first place in the MVC standings. Early dished out 70 assists over the weekend, at a rate of 11.67 per set. She mixed in eight kills while posting a hitting percentage of .538. She also chipped in six digs and a pair of blocks.
The wins over Loyola and Bradley helped the Redbirds to a program-record start in Valley play with 14-straight wins. Illinois State has won 16-consecutive matches overall, dating back to Sept. 12.
Early and the Redbirds are back in action this weekend as they travel to play matches at Northern Iowa on Saturday, and Drake on Sunday. Both matches, and all Illinois State matches this season, can be heard live online at: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/isu/.
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