October 4, 2011

Adams, Branch honored by conference

WEXFORD, Pa. -- Two Grove City College student-athletes earned Player of the Week from the Presidents' Athletic Conference Monday evening in recognition of their respective performances last week.

Sophomore defender Daniel Adams (The Woodlands, Texas/The Woodlands) earned Defensive Player of the Week honors in men's soccer and sophomore middle hitter Ashley Branch (Colorado Springs, Colo./Evangelical Christian) captured Player of the Week recognition in volleyball.

Adams helped Grove City to a 1-0 victory at Bethany Saturday afternoon by playing a pivotal role in Grove City's shutout effort. Adams also assisted on the lone goal of the match, a 4th-minute tally by junior forward Andrew Quinn (Damascus, Md./Damascus).

Adams is the second Grove City player to earn the Defensive Player of the Week award in as many weeks. Sophomore defender Jake Kern (Fairfield, Pa./Fairfield) earned the award the previous week.

Adams has played in all nine matches while starting eight. He has two assists and has helped the Wolverines compile three shutouts and a 1.55 goals-against average. The Wolverines (6-3, 1-0 PAC) visit Thomas More Tuesday afternoon in conference action.

Branch averaged 3.18 kills and 1.27 blocks per set last week while helping Grove City to a 2-1 record. Branch, who posted a .456 hitting percentage, had 11 kills and seven blocks in a sweep of La Roche September 28. Two nights later, she recorded 12 kills and five blocks in a five-set loss to Westminster. Later that night, Branch chalked up a dozen kills and two blocks in a non-conference sweep of D'Youville.

Branch leads the Wolverines with 132 kills and is second with an average of 2.16 per set. Her 57 blocks rank second on the team, as does her 0.93 average. Branch also leads Grove City with 19 serving aces.

Grove City (10-8 overall) visits Waynesburg Wednesday night at 7 p.m. in conference action.

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