COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Big Ten Conference announced its end-of-season awards on Wednesday as five Buckeyes earned recognition. Sophomore middle blocker Rylee Rader and junior setter Mac Podraza were named All-Conference First Team while sophomore opposite hitter Emily Londot was named All-Conference Second Team. Freshman middle blocker Arica Davis earned All-Freshman Team recognition and senior defensive specialist Hannah Gruensfelder received the Sportsmanship Award.
Rader, a unanimous selection for first team, led the team in hitting percentage (.445), which ranked fourth in the country and tied for the lead in the Big Ten. She totaled 275 kills (2.64 per set) on the season and was second on the team in blocking (107 total blocks, 1.03 per set). Rader recorded her career-high 15 kills twice this season, reaching the mark against No. 9 Nebraska and No. 15 Penn State. She was named to the Red Raider Classic (MVP) and VCU Invitational All-Tournament Teams early in non-conference play. Rader reached double-figure kills in 13 matches this season and recorded a double-double against Iowa with a season-high 10 blocks.
Podraza earned three Big Ten Setter of the Week nods this season as she led the country and conference in assists per set (11.97). She also ranked 17th in the nation in total assists (1,185) as she moved up to 11th in program history with 2,603 career assists. Podraza earned a spot on the VCU Invitational All-Tournament Team during non-conference play. She racked up 11 double-doubles, with 10 of those coming against Big Ten opponents. This season, Podraza recorded single-match career-highs in aces (4), digs (18) and blocks (6). She ranked third on the team with 261 digs (2.64 per set).
Londot, who also earned a player of the week nod on Oct. 11, led the team in kills per set (3.64) and points scored (416.0) this season, also ranking second in blocks per set (1.03) and averaging nearly two digs per set (1.97). She hit in double figures for kills in 20 matches this season and tallied six double-doubles. Londot set single-match career-highs in assists (3), aces (3), digs (18) and blocks (7) this season. She’s amassed 677 kills and 172 blocks over her first two seasons as a Buckeye. Londot landed a spot on the Red Raider Classic All-Tournament Team after being a unanimous pick for the Preseason All-Big Ten Team.
Davis, three-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week, set the program record for single-match block assists (12) and tied the single-match record for total blocks (13) in her collegiate debut. In single-season program history, Davis currently ranks sixth in block assists (121) and 10th in total blocks (131). If the season ended today, she would be tied for fourth in program history in blocks per set. Davis currently ranks 38th in the nation and seventh in the conference in blocks per set (1.26) and 32nd in the nation in total blocks (131). She’s recorded at least five blocks in nine matches this season.
Gruensfelder, one of the program’s all-time leaders in digs, began the season at 10th and has climbed up to third in program history with 1,497 career digs as she’s averaged more than three digs per set throughout her career. This season, Gruensfelder led the team in service aces with 32 total (0.31 per set) and was second in digs with 278 total (2.67 per set). She recorded double figures in digs in 10 matches this season.
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