CVU.com National Player of the Week (Oct. 9): Samantha Bricio, USC

The Collegiate Volleyball Update (CVU.com) is pleased to announce that Southern California freshman Samantha Bricio has been selected as the CVU.com National Player of the Week for Oct. 1 through Oct. 7.

A 6-2 outside hitter from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, Bricio was an offensive force with career highs in a pair of Pac-12 victories for the then No. 5 Women of Troy.

The first match of the weekend saw the freshmen turn in the best attacking match of her young career, hammering 22 kills on .475 hitting in a sweep of Arizona. She also picked up a double-double, adding 11 digs.

It didn't take long for that career-best to be replaced, though, as Bricio came back two days later with 24 kills in USC's 3-1 victory over Arizona State. The outside hit .317 in that match, complementing it with 16 more digs.

On the weekend, Bricio averaged a stout 6.57 kills per set on .380 hitting to go along with 3.85 digs per set as the recorded her fourth and fifth double-doubles of the season.

For her efforts, Bricio not only earned Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week honors, but also received her third Pac-12 Freshman of the Week nod. She is the first player to receive both of the conference weekly honors during the same week. Additionally, Bricio is the first USC player to earn the CVU.com weekly honor.

In addition to the Player of the Week, CVU.com will be announcing selections for the Top Performers from the past week. These selections will include the Player of the Week and up to 10 others. Choices will consist of players who were finalists for the weekly honor and others who had exceptional individual matches. The additional selections will be based on nominations and CVU.com staff criteria.

Top Performers

• Rachel Alvey, San Diego, Junior, Setter, 5-8
• Lola Arslanbekova, Louisville, Senior, Outside hitter, 5-11
• Samantha Bricio, USC, Freshman, Outside hitter, 6-2
• Katy Buck, Towson, Junior, Outside hitter, 5-10
• Caitlin Dotson, Lipscomb, Junior, Setter, 5-8
• Alli Kirk, Oakland, Senior, Libero, 5-8
• Ariana Mankus, Army, Senior, Outside hitter, 5-8
• Alexis Mourning, Miami, Sophomore, Middle blocker, 6-1
• Sarah Pope, Albany, Sophomore, Outside hitter, 5-11
• Taylor Root, Valparaiso, Senior, Libero, 5-7
• Katie Slay, Penn State, Junior, Middle hitter, 6-6

Editor's Note: This is the seventh in a series of Player-of-the-Week selections that will be made through the remainder of the season and announced on Tuesday or Wednesday of each week.

College and conference SIDs are welcome to make Player-of-the-Week nominations. Nominations are due every Monday by 1 p.m. Pacific time.

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