WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – For the first time in program history, the Boilermakers sweep the Big Ten weekly awards, with Grace Cleveland (Player of the Week), Jena Otec (Defensive Player of the Week), Hayley Bush (Co-Setter of the Week) and Taylor Trammell (Freshman of the Week) recognized by the conference office.
The recognition comes on the heels of a pair of victories at No. 9 Ohio State on March 26 and 27, where No. 10 Purdue handed the top-10 opponent its first home losses since the 2019 season.
Despite the shortened season, the quartet of honors catapult the Boilermakers to nine weekly awards this season, setting a program record. Additionally, it is the second time a Big Ten program has was awarded every category since November 24, 2008 (other: Ohio State, 3/1/21).
Cleveland, a junior outside hitter, earned Player of the Week for the second time in her career, after earning the league's defensive accolade on March 8. The Bloomington, Illinois, native led the team with 3.63 kills per set in Columbus, recording 29 kills and five errors on 85 attempts for a .282 hitting clip. Cleveland had a stunning defensive performance to match, tying career-highs in each outing. In the first meeting, Cleveland recorded 11 digs before turning around and meeting another career-best with nine block assists the next day.
Otec led the Boilermaker defense to earn the first conference honor of her career. The libero accumulated 51 digs over eight sets for 6.38 per set. Moreover, Otec tied for the second-most digs in a single Big Ten match this season with her 29 on March 27 and set the league's season-high in four setters. With the senior anchoring the Boilermakers, Purdue held No. 9 Ohio State to its lowest hitting percentage of the season (.145) on Saturday.
Bush recorded two double-doubles on the weekend on her way to the second Setter of the Week accolade of Spring 2021 and third overall. Bush (who was named co-winners alongside Rutgers' Inna Balyko) registered 99 assists over the two matches. Additionally, the Union, Kentucky, product produced 22 total digs, including seven in the fourth and final set on March 27 to secure the Boilermaker victory. On the attack, Bush was errorless after recording five kills on 17 attempts.
Meanwhile, Trammell secured her third conference honor of the season with her Freshman of the Week nod. Trammell led the team with a .405 hitting clip, averaging 2.25 kills per set and recording just three errors on the weekend. Moreover, the newcomer paced the team with 16.0 total blocks (2.0 per set). On March 27, the Lexington, Kentucky, middle blocker set a career-high 10 kills with just one error on 19 swings (.474 attack %).
The Boilermakers will wrap-up the regular season on Friday and Saturday, set for a pair of 5 p.m. ET matches against Illinois on Big Ten Network Plus.
2021 Big Ten Volleyball Weekly Awards
Feb. 1 – Jael Johnson, Player of the Week
Feb. 15 – Hayley Bush, Setter of the Week
Feb. 15 – Taylor Trammell, Defensive Player of the Week
March 8 – Grace Cleveland, Defensive Player of the Week
March 8 – Taylor Trammell, Freshman of the Week
March 29 – Grace Cleveland, Player of the Week
March 29 – Jena Otec, Defensive Player of the Week
March 29 – Hayley Bush, Co-Setter of the Week
March 29 – Taylor Trammell, Freshman of the Week
The recognition comes on the heels of a pair of victories at No. 9 Ohio State on March 26 and 27, where No. 10 Purdue handed the top-10 opponent its first home losses since the 2019 season.
Despite the shortened season, the quartet of honors catapult the Boilermakers to nine weekly awards this season, setting a program record. Additionally, it is the second time a Big Ten program has was awarded every category since November 24, 2008 (other: Ohio State, 3/1/21).
Cleveland, a junior outside hitter, earned Player of the Week for the second time in her career, after earning the league's defensive accolade on March 8. The Bloomington, Illinois, native led the team with 3.63 kills per set in Columbus, recording 29 kills and five errors on 85 attempts for a .282 hitting clip. Cleveland had a stunning defensive performance to match, tying career-highs in each outing. In the first meeting, Cleveland recorded 11 digs before turning around and meeting another career-best with nine block assists the next day.
Otec led the Boilermaker defense to earn the first conference honor of her career. The libero accumulated 51 digs over eight sets for 6.38 per set. Moreover, Otec tied for the second-most digs in a single Big Ten match this season with her 29 on March 27 and set the league's season-high in four setters. With the senior anchoring the Boilermakers, Purdue held No. 9 Ohio State to its lowest hitting percentage of the season (.145) on Saturday.
Bush recorded two double-doubles on the weekend on her way to the second Setter of the Week accolade of Spring 2021 and third overall. Bush (who was named co-winners alongside Rutgers' Inna Balyko) registered 99 assists over the two matches. Additionally, the Union, Kentucky, product produced 22 total digs, including seven in the fourth and final set on March 27 to secure the Boilermaker victory. On the attack, Bush was errorless after recording five kills on 17 attempts.
Meanwhile, Trammell secured her third conference honor of the season with her Freshman of the Week nod. Trammell led the team with a .405 hitting clip, averaging 2.25 kills per set and recording just three errors on the weekend. Moreover, the newcomer paced the team with 16.0 total blocks (2.0 per set). On March 27, the Lexington, Kentucky, middle blocker set a career-high 10 kills with just one error on 19 swings (.474 attack %).
The Boilermakers will wrap-up the regular season on Friday and Saturday, set for a pair of 5 p.m. ET matches against Illinois on Big Ten Network Plus.
2021 Big Ten Volleyball Weekly Awards
Feb. 1 – Jael Johnson, Player of the Week
Feb. 15 – Hayley Bush, Setter of the Week
Feb. 15 – Taylor Trammell, Defensive Player of the Week
March 8 – Grace Cleveland, Defensive Player of the Week
March 8 – Taylor Trammell, Freshman of the Week
March 29 – Grace Cleveland, Player of the Week
March 29 – Jena Otec, Defensive Player of the Week
March 29 – Hayley Bush, Co-Setter of the Week
March 29 – Taylor Trammell, Freshman of the Week