Kat Hutson Named SEC Freshman of the Week
11/3/2014 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Freshman Kat Hutson was one key component in Alabama's big win over No. 23 Texas A&M on Friday, and she was recognized for her efforts by the Southeastern Conference as they named her the SEC Freshman of the Week on Monday.
Hutson knocked in 25 kills in the five-set win, which is her second-highest total of the season, only trailing the 27 she scored in the first meeting with the Aggies earlier this season. Her 25 kills came on 57 swings with just four errors, earning a .368 hitting percentage that is her third-highest total in SEC play. The match was Hutson's eighth-straight with double-digit kills.
So far this season, Hutson has 333 kills (3.74/set) and a .270 hitting percentage along with 34 blocks. 177 of those kills have come in conference play, where she is hitting .274. She has started in 23 of the Tide's 24 matches this season, playing 89 sets.
This is Hutson's first career conference honor and the first SEC Freshman of the Week award for Alabama this season. Redshirt sophomore Krystal Rivers has won three SEC Offensive Player of the Week awards this season as well.
Hutson's performance helped guide Alabama to a 3-2 win over No. 23 Texas A&M on Halloween night, the Tide's first win over a Top 25 team since Sept. 7, 2007 when Alabama defeated No. 13 Ohio, 3-2. It was Alabama's first win over a Top 25 SEC opponent since Oct. 15, 2006, when the Tide beat No. 18 Tennessee, 3-1.
Kentucky's Lauren O'Conner was named Offensive Player of the Week and Florida's Holly Pole was named the Defensive Player of the Week.
Alabama continues SEC play this weekend with a pair of road matches, first taking on No. 8 Florida (18-3, 12-0 SEC) on Friday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. CT before heading to South Carolina (15-9, 5-6 SEC) on Sunday, Nov. 9 for a 3 p.m. CT match live on the SEC Network.
