Back-to-back: Wait named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week
Link Big12Sports.com
IRVING, Texas – For the second-straight week, senior libero Cassie Wait was honored with Big 12 Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week recognition, the conference announced Monday.
Wait posted a 30-dig match and two 20-dig matches over the weekend, averaging out to 6.17 digs per set which led all Big 12 players for the second-straight week.
“Our defense has kept us in matches in many ways so far this season and she is the caption of what we are doing defensively,” Kansas head coach Ray Bechard said. “Our defense behind the block has certainly taken a step-up and Cassie is largely responsible for that.”
The Gardner, Kansas native began the week by setting a Bluejay Invitational record of 33 digs during KU’s five-set victory over preseason-No. 18 Creighton, marking her third career 30-dig performance and second in two weeks. Wait capped off the Bluejay Invite with 21 digs and seven assists against Chattanooga on Friday to earn all-tournament honors.
Wait and the Jayhawks returned home for a match against Northern Iowa on Saturday, where she recorded 20 digs in just three sets to help sweep the Panthers and improve KU’s regular-season nonconference winning streak to 24 matches.
“Cassie always plays at a high level with great effort. It’s unconditional for her,” Bechard added.
This season, Wait leads the Big 12 in digs per set (5.65) and is the floor general for a KU defense which is holding opponents to a Big 12-best .096 hitting percentage.
It is the fifth career Big 12 weekly award for Wait.
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