Sandbothe Named Big Ten’s Best of Opening Week
8/29/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 29, 2016
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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Taylor Sandbothe is the Big Ten Conference’s first Player of the Week honoree for 2016. The Buckeye senior earned Most Valuable Player recognition at the North Texas Challenge after pushing Ohio State to a 3-0 mark which included a five-set triumph over No. 16 Texas A&M.
Sandbothe has now earned B1G weekly accolades in all four seasons of her career. She was the conference’s Player of the Week last year (Sept. 7, 2015), Defensive Player of the Week in 2014 (Sept. 8) and twice the Freshman of the Week (Nov. 11; Nov. 25, 2013). She also extended her streak of all-tournament team distinction in non-conference events to nine consecutive tournaments, a stretch dating back to her freshman campaign.
For the weekend, Sandbothe averaged 4.09 kills per set while attacking at a .507 clip. She was responsible for a total of 55.5 points (5.05/set) on 45 kills, 10 blocks (1s, 9a) and five service aces. She cemented the Tournament MVP honor by exploding for a career-high 26 kills and 32 points in Ohio State’s top-20 victory over No. 16 Texas A&M. Sandbothe committed just three errors on her 38 attempts, swinging .605 for the match to go along with five blocks and three aces. The Lee’s Summit, Mo., native really turned it on when needed most, terminating five of seven errorless attacks in the decisive 15-13 final set versus the Aggies. Sandbothe opened the tournament with a 7-0-10 attacking effort against Texas State, followed by a dozen kills over North Texas.
