Simpson Named Big Ten Player of the Week
November 26, 2007 | Volleyball
Jackie Simpson, a senior on the eighth-ranked University of Wisconsin volleyball team, has been named the Big Ten Conference Player of the Week, the league office announced today. She is the only Badger to earn player of the week honors this season though Wisconsin had two Big Ten Defensive Players of the Week earlier this year.
Simpson set the Badgers to three 3-0 wins last week. With the 6-0 setter running the offense, Wisconsin hit .302 over three matches with six players averaging 2.0 or more kills per game. Simpson also contributed seven kills, two service aces, six blocks and 10 digs on the week to help the Badgers finish second in the Big Ten standings. She put up five kills on eight attempts for a .625 hitting percentage at Ohio State and led the Badgers with four blocks vs. Minnesota. The Downers Grove, Ill., native averaged 12.89 assists, 0.78 kills, 0.22 aces 1.11 digs and 0.67 blocks per game while hitting .300.
The award is the third of Simpson's career. She last earned it on Oct. 30, 2006, when she was also named the AVCA's National Player of the Week.
Simpson and the Badgers (25-4) host first and second-round matches of the 2007 NCAA Division I Championship on Friday and Saturday in the UW Field House. No. 16 San Diego (21-7) opens first-round play against Iowa State (17-13) on Friday at 5 p.m. The Badgers face Northern Iowa (22-10) in the other first-round match at 7 p.m. First-round winners will play on Saturday at 7 p.m. for the right to advance to NCAA regional play.
Wisconsin received an at-large bid to its 16th overall and 12th consecutive NCAA tournament. The UW is 28-15 (.651) in 15 post-season appearances. The Badgers have hosted first and second-round matches the last three years, advancing to regional play all three seasons.
