November 21, 2016

Soucie named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week

IRVING, Texas – Senior middle blocker Tayler Soucie was awarded Big 12 co-Defense Player of the Week after leading Kansas to its first-ever Big 12 Conference title and extending the fourth-ranked Jayhawks’ winning streak to 13 matches. It is Soucie’s fourth career Big 12 weekly honor.

Soucie continued her hot streak of late with seven blocks at West Virginia (Nov. 16) and nine blocks during her Senior Day match against Iowa State (Nov. 19). KU’s victory over Iowa State clinched at least a share the Big 12 title with one regular-season match remaining. Souce and fellow seniors Maggie Anderson and Cassie Wait have led Kansas to a 102-22 (.823) record the last four seasons.

The Osawatomie, Kansas native totaled 16 blocks to co-lead conference during week 13. Soucie has recorded six or more blocks in five-straight matches and stands second in the Big 12 in blocks per set (1.25) this season.

Soucie has vaulted up to second in career blocks at Kansas (527) and third at KU in career hitting percentage (.325). She is 29 blocks away from passing Caroline Jarmoc (2009-13; 555) on the total blocks record list at Kansas, while already holding the record for career blocks per set (1.25) at KU.

Soucie is a part of a KU defense which leads the Big 12 in hitting percentage allowed (.149) and kills allowed per set (11.40) this season.

UP NEXT
Kansas (25-2, 14-1 Big 12) visits Baylor on Saturday, Nov. 26 to conclude regular season before learning its postseason path, which will be revealed during the NCAA Championship Selection Show on Sunday, Nov. 27 at 8 p.m. Central on ESPNU.

KU’s 2016 BIG 12 PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Sept. 5 – Cassie Wait (Defensive)
Sept. 12 – Cassie Wait (Defensive)
Oct. 17 – Cassie Wait (Defensive)
Oct. 17 – Kelsie Payne (Offensive)
Oct. 31 – Kelsie Payne (Offensive)
Nov. 21 – Tayler Soucie (Defensive)

POLL UPDATE
Kansas remained at No. 4 for the fourth-straight week in the AVCA Coaches Poll on Monday. The Jayhawks have been ranked in the top-25 for a program-record 29-consecutive weeks (since Sept. 7, 2015), including 24-consecutive weeks in the top-10 (since Oct. 5, 2015). KU’s No. 4 ranking ties a program high in the AVCA Coaches Poll for the seventh time.

The poll will update once more before the start of the NCAA Championship in December. Final rankings will be releases at the conclusion of the championship title match.

Kansas in the 2016 AVCA Coaches Poll
Week: Rank
Preseason: 5
Aug. 29: 4
Sept. 5: 4
Sept. 12: 4
Sept. 19: 8
Sept. 26: 8
Oct. 3: 6
Oct. 10: 6
Oct. 17: 6
Oct. 24: 6
Oct. 31: 4
Nov. 7: 4
Nov. 14: 4
Nov. 21: 4
Nov. 28
Final

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