St. LOUIS – Missouri State’s Aniya Joseph brought home the initial Freshman of the Week award in volleyball from the Missouri Valley Conference after a stellar opening weekend for the Bears.
Joseph averaged 3.69 kills, 2.85 digs, 0.54 blocks and 4.19 points per set to earn all-tournament honors at the UNCG Spartan Classic, ranking third in the MVC in total kills with 48.
Among the notables on the weekend for the San Antonio native included:
- 21 kills in Friday’s opener versus South Carolina Upstate are the most on record for a MoState freshman in their debut, with match data available through the 1987 season. Hit .263 with 11 digs in that match.
- First MSU freshman with 20 kills in any match since Amelia Flynn in 2018.
- First MSU freshman since Tina Noelke in 1990 with a double-double in the first two matches of their career after going for 18 kills and 14 digs with a .256 hitting percentage on Friday at UNC Greensboro.
- Also joined fellow rookie Rilynn Finley as the only Bears with at least 10 kills in their first two matches as freshmen since Noelke.
- Added nine kills, 12 digs and four blocks Saturday versus Robert Morris, which made her the first Bear to begin a career with three straight double-figure dig matches since Emily Butters, the school’s career leader in that category, in 2015.
The Bears (2-1) make their home debut Wednesday at 6 p.m. when Tulsa visits Hammons Student Center.
#GoBears
This article is provided by Missouri State
