IRVING, Texas – After making a splash in her first three collegiate matches, freshman setter Elle Mottola is the first Big 12 Rookie of the Week of the season, as announced by the conference on Tuesday.
Additionally, the Big 12 introduced the Big 12 Starting Seven this season, which recognizes strong performances from across the league. Mottola is also in the starting seven, and junior outside hitter Una Vajagić was recognized on that list for her strong efforts over the first three matches.
Mottola is the first freshman to earn a conference weekly award for Sun Devil Volleyball since Geli Cyr was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week in 2021.
For all of the winners of the Big 12’s first weekly awards of the season, head to the conference website.
Mottola made her collegiate debut against No. 2 Texas, leading ASU to victory with 31 assists, seven digs and four blocks while running a 5-1. She was named the AVCA MVP of the Game in that win. This past weekend, she followed that up with her first double-double in the win over No. 14 Minnesota, notching 42 assists and 10 digs.
Vajagić has had double-digit kills in all three matches and is hitting .368 to start the season, all against ranked opponents. She has reached double figures in kills in her last 10 matches, dating back to last season. She earned a career-high 20 kills in the win over No. 14 Minnesota to lead all players, also hitting .500 in that match. In three matches.
Up next
Arizona State will be on the road at the Colgate Volleyball Classic this Thursday through Saturday. ASU will face Colgate, Princeton and Villanova.
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