Aug. 30, 2010

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Senior libero Hannah Lawing pulled in two awards on Monday, taking home All-Tournament Team accolades from the State Farm Illini Classic before being named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week.

Lawing tallied 5.91 digs per set on the weekend, which includes two frames with 10 or more digs. The Marietta, Ga., native’s dig average was nearly 2.5 digs better than the closest competitor in the event hosted by Illinois and was almost a full dig better than the second-ranked libero from the SEC. She got better as the weekend went on, posting 31 digs in the finale versus BYU. That total tied her for fifth all-time in five-set matches at South Carolina. Her weekend also pushed her up a spot on the Gamecocks’ career digs-per-set list, as she now stands eighth with 2.90 digs per game.

It’s the second time Lawing has claimed the SEC Defensive Player of the Week nod, the first coming during her freshman year when she compiled her previous career high of 25 in a win over LSU.

Florida’s Kelly Murphy claimed the SEC Offensive Player of the Week award, while Mississippi State’s Paris Perret was named the SEC Freshman of the Week.

The Gamecocks play at the Carolina Challenge by Hilton Garden Inn this weekend in Rock Hill, S.C. The Garnet and Black face archrival Clemson on Friday afternoon at 5 p.m. EDT before playing College of Charleston at 12 noon on Saturday. South Carolina concludes the tournament on Saturday night against Winthrop, with first serve set for 7:30 p.m.