California State University Northridge Athletics
Smith, Kolar Earn Big West Player of the Week Honors
9/2/2024 1:14:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
IRVINE, Calif. - In the first Big West weekly awards of the 2024 season, CSUN picked up two of the four honors as junior Amaris Smith was named Offensive Player of the Week and sophomore Katie Kolar earned Setter of the Week accolades on Monday (Sept. 2).Â
The weekly honors are the first for the Matadors since the 2023 season when Paige Sentes was named Big West Freshman of the Week on Oct. 9.
In her CSUN debut weekend, Smith was selected to the Idaho State All-Tournament Team after an impressive offensive weekend. Smith averaged 5.29 kills per set which leads the Big West after one week of play. CSUN's kills leader in all three matches, Smith put down 74 kills on 183 swings to hit .284. She also added 22 digs (1.57 dps), six blocks, four assists, and one ace. In Saturday's 3-2 win over San Diego State, Smith led all hitters in the match with 29 kills, the most by a CSUN hitter since Cieana Stinson also had 29 against UC Riverside in 2015. Smith hit an impressive .439 on 57 attacks while adding nine digs, two assists, one block, and one ace.
"For us to have these two win these awards with so many great showings from Big West student-athletes and teams in the opening week is an amazing sign for what is to come," said head coach Aquiles Montoya "Amaris showed aggression through all of our matches and never seemed to be phased by an error."
Kolar, also making her Matador debut in Idaho, was named Big West Setter of the Week after posting three straight double-doubles while averaging 10.93 assists per set which also leads the conference. Kolar posted at least 50 assists in all three matches including a season-high 53 against Seattle in the season opener. She also added 16 digs in the opener, followed by 13 and 14 digs over CSUN's next two matches. Kolar, who led the Matador hitters to a .215 combined hitting clip, also chipped in four aces and seven blocks over three matches.
"Katie made courageous sets and showcased leadership," added Montoya. "Although there are only two names being recognized this doesn't occur without our full team playing together and buying in from the start, since they both are new transfers to CSUN. While they were grateful to hear the news, their focus is for more team wins in the future rather than individual accolades."Â
CSUNÂ continues tournament play this weekend as the Matadors travel to the State Capitol for three matches at the Sacramento State Invitational. CSUN will meet the host Hornets on Thursday, San Francisco on Friday, and New Mexico State on Saturday.
#GoMatadorsÂ
The weekly honors are the first for the Matadors since the 2023 season when Paige Sentes was named Big West Freshman of the Week on Oct. 9.
In her CSUN debut weekend, Smith was selected to the Idaho State All-Tournament Team after an impressive offensive weekend. Smith averaged 5.29 kills per set which leads the Big West after one week of play. CSUN's kills leader in all three matches, Smith put down 74 kills on 183 swings to hit .284. She also added 22 digs (1.57 dps), six blocks, four assists, and one ace. In Saturday's 3-2 win over San Diego State, Smith led all hitters in the match with 29 kills, the most by a CSUN hitter since Cieana Stinson also had 29 against UC Riverside in 2015. Smith hit an impressive .439 on 57 attacks while adding nine digs, two assists, one block, and one ace.
"For us to have these two win these awards with so many great showings from Big West student-athletes and teams in the opening week is an amazing sign for what is to come," said head coach Aquiles Montoya "Amaris showed aggression through all of our matches and never seemed to be phased by an error."
Kolar, also making her Matador debut in Idaho, was named Big West Setter of the Week after posting three straight double-doubles while averaging 10.93 assists per set which also leads the conference. Kolar posted at least 50 assists in all three matches including a season-high 53 against Seattle in the season opener. She also added 16 digs in the opener, followed by 13 and 14 digs over CSUN's next two matches. Kolar, who led the Matador hitters to a .215 combined hitting clip, also chipped in four aces and seven blocks over three matches."Katie made courageous sets and showcased leadership," added Montoya. "Although there are only two names being recognized this doesn't occur without our full team playing together and buying in from the start, since they both are new transfers to CSUN. While they were grateful to hear the news, their focus is for more team wins in the future rather than individual accolades."Â
CSUNÂ continues tournament play this weekend as the Matadors travel to the State Capitol for three matches at the Sacramento State Invitational. CSUN will meet the host Hornets on Thursday, San Francisco on Friday, and New Mexico State on Saturday.
#GoMatadorsÂ
Players Mentioned
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