BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Leading Florida A&M Volleyball to an even 1-1 weekend, Rattlers senior Sydney Whitfield has been named Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Offensive Player of the Week for the period of September 29 through October 5, announced Tuesday by the league office in Birmingham, Alabama.
 
Whitfield, a 5-foot-10, outside hitter from Magnolia, Texas, struck for a team-high 41 kills in two matches against the SWAC Alabama schools, adding 23 digs and four blocks along the way. She averaged 2.56 digs per set to go along with 4.56 kills per set, respectfully.
 
In consecutive matches for the Orange and Green, Whitfield registered consecutive double-doubles, including a season-best 25 kills and 10 digs and three blocks (two solo) in a league-opening win from Alabama State at home. In that match, she hit .524 for the Rattlers – also a season-high outing. She followed with 16 kills and a season-high tying 13 digs against Alabama A&M in a battle at the top of the league standings.
 
Southern's Najah Harris grabbed this week's Defensive Player of the Week recognition. Rounding out the awards, Bethune-Cookman's Alaya Rhodes earned Newcomer of the Week and Alabama A&M's Kaydee Smith achieved Setter of the Week.
 
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