Two Hilltoppers honored by Conference USA
It was a solid showing this weekend by the WKU soccer, volleyball and football teams. The soccer team posted an even 1-1 record, being unable to knock off visiting Tennessee, but coming back fiercely to defeat Evansville 2-0. The volleyball squad went undefeated in the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational in Missouri, defeating Incarnate Word, Missouri State, Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Oral Roberts. And, as well all know, the WKU football team nearly defeated the Big 10’s Illinois, but a poor second half kept that dream from becoming a reality. But, no one can deny how tough the Tops’ played, and Conference USA has recognized the great weekend WKU had.
Two Hilltoppers were named by C-USA as players of the week – redshirt junior defensive back Wonderful Terry was named the C-USA defensive player of the week, and volleyball’s Jessica Lucas was honored with the Setter of the Week award.
For football, it’s the second consecutive week in which a Hilltopper has been honored by the league, with
record setting performance being honored last week. Terry not only stripped the ball
right out of the hands ofbut also took it 95 yards the other way for a touchdown. It was the first “fumble” returned for WKU for a touchdown since
(now a ProTopper with the Denver Broncos) took one 75 yards in 2012 against FAU. Terry also recorded a career high nine tackles in last week’s game, and is also the first Hilltopper to be named a conference defensive player of the week since
and
were named Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week in back to back weeks last November. The play that garnered the award can be seen below:
Terry joins Louisiana Tech running back Kenneth Dixon (Offensive) and North Texas kicker Trevor Moore (Special Teams) in Player of the Week honors.
For Lucas, she is the first Lady Topper to be recognized by the conference (in all sports), and she garnered the honor after a break out week, in which WKU swept their competition (four matches in the tournament, plus a home victory over Belmont). Lucas recorded 175 total assists (10.29 per set average) and helped Travis Hudson’s squad hit .255. The freshman, who is still overcoming a sickness that kept her playing time shortened in the season opening tournament, recorded the first double-double of her collegiate career over the weekend (30 assists and 18 digs vs. Incarnate Word) and was named to the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational All-Tournament Team, joining teammates Heather Boyan (who was named tournament MVP) and sophomore libero Georgia O’Connell. Joining Lucas with the honors are North Texas’ Carnae Dillard (Offensive) and Rice’s Jillian Humphrey (Defensive).
Who’s up for a prediction game? Who wants to predict who will garner awards next week? Let us know below in a comment or on twitter at @WavetheRedTowel.