CVU.com National Player of the Week (Dec. 8): Taylor Barnes

The Collegiate Volleyball Update (CVU.com) is pleased to announce that Baylor senior Taylor Barnes has been selected as the CVU.com National Player of the Week for Nov. 30 through Dec 6.

A 5-11 setter from Arlington, Texas, Barnes led Baylor to not only a pair of NCAA tournament victories, but she also helped the Bears advance deeper into the tournament than they ever have, as they reach the Regionals for the first time ever.

To begin the tournament, Baylor rolled over Georgia Tech, as Barnes tallied four kills, five digs, two blocks, two aces and 29 assists in the sweep.

The next night was when the senior really shined, though, just missing a triple-double as the Bears upset No. 8 seed and site-host UCLA. In the 3-1 victory, Barnes guided Baylor with 50 assists, eight kills, hit .467 and tied her career-high with 20 digs.

For the first two rounds, Barnes averaged 11.29 assists, 3.57 digs and 1.71 kills per set while hitting .417 as she committed only two total errors. Those numbers all top her season averages.

Baylor now moves on to the Gainesville Regional where it will face California. The victor of that match will play the winner of Penn State and Florida.

In addition to the Player of the Week, CVU.com will be announcing selections for the Top Performers from the past week. These selections will include the Player of the Week and up to 10 others. Choices will consist of players who were finalists for the weekly honor and others who had exceptional individual matches. The additional selections will be based on nominations and CVU.com staff criteria.

Top Performers

• Jennifer Banse, Texas A&M, Senior, Outside hitter, 6-0
• Kayla Banwarth, Nebraska, Junior, Libero, 5-10
• Taylor Barnes, Baylor, Senior, Setter, 5-11
• Taylor Carico, Minnesota, Senior, Setter, 5-11
• Kanani Danielson, Hawaii, Sophomore, Outside hitter, 5-10
• Laura DeBruler, Illinois, Junior, Outside hitter, 5-11
• Alix Klineman, Stanford, Junior, Outside hitter, 6-4
• Carli Lloyd, California, Junior, Setter, 5-11
• Ashley Mass, Iowa State, Junior, Libero, 5-8
• Lauren Rapp, Kentucky, Junior, Middle blocker, 6-3
• Brittney Whitten, Jacksonville State, Senior, Outside hitter, 5-9

Editor's Note: This is the fifteenth in a series of Player-of-the-Week selections that will be made through the remainder of the season and announced on Tuesday or Wednesday of each week.

College and conference SIDs are welcome to make Player-of-the-Week nominations. Nominations are due every Monday by 1 p.m. Pacific time.

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