Clayton Named Big South Player of the Week
10/3/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
After posting big numbers during her first week of conference play, Liberty freshman Leah Clayton was named Big South Volleyball Player of the Week, Monday.
This marks the 11th year in a row in which Liberty has had at least one Big South Volleyball Player of the Week honoree. Clayton is the fifth freshman in program history to earn Big South Player of the Week mention, and first since Lillie Happel, Nov. 15, 2010. Previously this season, classmates Casey Goodwin (Sept. 12) and Anna Gragg (Sept. 19) were both voted Big South Freshman of the Week.
Hailing from Danville, Va., Clayton had a tremendous impact during Liberty's 1-1 week. She led the Lady Flames with 3.7 kills per set, adding 2.40 digs and 0.50 blocks per set. Clayton posted back-to-back double-doubles on the week.
Her 19 kills at Radford on Tuesday are tied for the most by a Liberty freshman in her first career Big South match (Leeana Miller, 1994). She added 12 digs, one ace and one block against the Highlanders. Clayton scored seven kills and added a block assist during set four, helping force a decisive fifth set.
Then, she totaled 18 kills, 11 digs, one ace and four block assists in a thrilling, come-from-behind five-set win at UNC Asheville on Friday night. With her team trailing the match, 2-0, Clayton played her best volleyball in the final three sets, all Liberty wins. During sets three through five, she scored 13 kills and added nine digs and three blocks to help fuel the comeback.
The Lady Flames (6-9, 1-2 Big South) return home for the first time in over a month, hosting Gardner-Webb on Friday at 7 p.m. to begin a three-match homestand. Liberty will also host Winthrop on Saturday at 2 p.m., before welcoming Campbell to the Vines Center for a match, next Tuesday at 7 p.m.
