SoCon Announces Volleyball Players of the Week

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Senior setter Izora Gragg and freshman right side Hailey Clifton of the UNC Greensboro (UNCG) volleyball team have earned weekly honors from The Southern Conference (SoCon) announced by the league office on Monday.

Gragg picked up her third SoCon Setter of the Week award of the season and of her career, while Clifton was tabbed SoCon Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in her career.

As the Spartans' leading setter, Gragg totaled 81 assists with an 11.57 assists per set average in seven sets this past weekend. She notched her 19^th career double-double and seventh of the season in the team's win over Chattanooga on Friday with 46 assists and 10 digs, while posting a career-best seven service aces.

Gragg is currently pacing the SoCon in assists per set (10.19) and second in total assists (846). Her 846 total assists rank 13^th in the country.

"I am super proud of our team and how we are competing," said Gragg. "I can't wait to keep putting in work as we continue with conference play and head into the tournament!"

Clifton stood out for the Spartans offensively this past weekend, with 32 kills, a .551 hitting percentage and a 4.57 kills per set average. In the team's win over Chattanooga on Friday, Clifton recorded a career-best 20 kills.

"I am so honored to receive this award," said Clifton. "I want to give thanks to my teammates, coaches and family for pushing me to always be my best. I am so blessed to be a part of such a special program and cannot wait to finish out this season with this team! Go Spartans!"

The Spartans have now received seven SoCon Player of the Week accolades this season, including Allie Sweet earning SoCon Offensive Player of the Week three times (Sept. 21, Sept. 28 & Oct. 19), Gragg being named SoCon Setter of the Week three times (Aug. 31, Sept. 7 & Oct. 26) and Clifton earning SoCon Offensive Player of the Week once (Oct. 26). This is the second consecutive season the Spartans have received seven SoCon weekly awards.

As a team, the Spartans are second in the SoCon in assists per set (12.48), hitting percentage (.235), kills per set (13.49) and service aces (150).

The Spartans are currently 15-7 overall and 8-3 in SoCon play, standing in second place in the league standings. UNCG is just one victory behind first-place Wofford at 9-2 in the conference. After sweeping Chattanooga this past weekend, the Blue & Gold are currently on a six-match win streak. The last time UNCG secured six consecutive SoCon wins was in the 2017 season, as that team notched seven consecutive wins to conclude the regular season.

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The Spartans will host ETSU tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. inside Bodford Arena. Tuesday's match against the Bucs will be a White Out, Professor Appreciation and the first 100 UNCG students to arrive will receive a free donut!