FAYETTEVILLE -- University of Arkansas senior Ashley Miller earned Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors the league office announced Monday.
Miller set the SEC career digs record in a five-game win at Georgia Sunday. The Vacaville, Calif., native entered the season with 1556 career digs and has added 502 digs this year bringing her career total to 2058. The previous mark of 2037 was held by Kentucky’s Jenni Casper (2003-06).
“I’m proud of Ashley for getting the SEC record,” said Arkansas head coach Chris Poole. "Ashley has worked hard for four seasons and this is a great accomplishment for her and for the program. I'm also pleased that the conference recognized Ashley for this accomplishment. There are a lot of great players in the SEC and to stand out like this is a good achievement."
It is the second time in Miller’s career she has earned an SEC weekly honor (2006). In addition, Miller is the only Arkansas libero to earn the league’s defensive player of the week honor. Four middle blockers have earned five honors for the Lady’Backs in previous seasons.
Miller holds the Arkansas record for digs with 2058 and is the only player in school history with more than 2000. In fact, she holds all of Arkansas’ dig records. Miller has the match record with 36 against Ole Miss (10-1-06), single season with 548 (2005), career with 2058 and climbing, career digs per game with 4.36 and was the digs per game leader in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.
On 9/21/07 the University of Miami and Virginia Tech squared off, each featuring a freshman starting at middle blocker. What made this particularly interesting is the two players in question, Ariell Cooke and Felicia Willoughby, were teammates for the past two seasons on Golden Bear 18 Forefront. Felicia had the better night statistically, but Ariell helped Miami to a 5-game win over Tech. For the box score
A Golden Bear alum has been invited to join the U.S. National Training Team. Allison Anderson, last seen in Blue and Gold leading her upstart Golden Bear team to an 18-Open Bronze medal, will now be wearing the Red, White, and Blue.
Congratulations, Allison!