SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Samford sophomore Lauren Deaton was named the Southern Conference's Offensive Player of the Week when the league released its weekly volleyball awards Monday afternoon.
 
In three matches last weekend, Deaton led Samford with 65 kills as Samford went 1-2 in the Cactus Classic, claiming a 3-2 win over 24^th-ranked Arizona for the first win over a ranked opponent in program history. She also tallied 28 digs in the tournament.
 
In the season opener against Loyola-Marymount, Deaton had a career-high 31 kills, just three away from the school record. She also had 19 kills against Appalachian State, and 15 against the host, Arizona.

Deaton and the Bulldogs will host the annual Samford Classic this weekend at the Pete Hanna Center. Samford will take on North Alabama Friday at 7:30 p.m., Jacksonville State Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and UAB Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Admission to all home volleyball matches is FREE.