Taylor Austin of Ashburn Named CAA Defensive Player of the Week

2016 Nov 7

Shattering career highs in crucial Colonial Athletic Association road contests, junior libero Taylor Austin of Ashburn was named Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced Monday.

JMU picked up two pivotal league wins on the road, topping both Charleston and UNCW in five sets to push the Duke winning streak to six matches. Standing 17-10 overall and 9-5 in league action, JMU clinched a spot in the 2016 CAA Tournament for the seventh consecutive season under Head Coach Lauren Steinbrecher and are just one game behind conference leaders Northeastern and Charleston.

Austin continues to rank as one of the top defensive players in the nation as the junior leads the conference and ranks second nationally with a 6.05 digs per set average. The Ashburn, Va. native recorded back-to-back matches with 30 or more digs, the fifth and sixth time this season she has garnered at least 30 digs in a match. With 39 digs in JMU's victory at UNCW, Austin posted a new career high. Austin ended the weekend with 73 digs, averaging 7.30 per set, while adding six assists.

The libero currently ranks third on JMU's single-season digs chart with 587 this season, while her 6.05 digs per set average is the third highest in program history. The defensive honor is the fourth for Austin over her career and the second of the season.

JMU closes out the 2016 regular season this weekend with back-to-back home matches inside Godwin Hall. The Dukes host Delaware on Friday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. before welcoming Towson to Sinclair Gym for "Senior Night" on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m.