Buccaneer senior middle blocker led all SoCon players with 1.15 blocks per set in September

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Oct. 7, 2014) – In a month where Meredith Hardy (Kingsport, Tenn.) broke two program records and set a personal milestone, the ETSU senior middle blocker was rewarded for her accomplishments as the Buccaneer standout was named Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Month for September, which was released by the conference office on Tuesday.

Hardy, who broke ETSU’s career blocking record and single-match blocks mark for a three-set match, also recorded her 1,000th career kill last month. The preseason all-conference selection surpassed Jennifer Pennington (1993-96) for the most blocks in Buccaneer history in ETSU’s four-set win at Chattanooga on Sept. 27, while her 12-block effort in the win over George Mason tied a career high and set a school record for a three-set match. The 12 blocks are also the most by an NCAA Division I player in a three-set match this season. In addition to the blocking records, Hardy joined the 1,000-kill club against Utah on Sept. 12 at the Lipscomb Invitational.

Overall, Hardy totaled 134 kills, 62 blocks, 37 digs, and seven service aces, while also registering a .281 attack percentage (134-47-310) in 14 matches (54 sets) last month for the Blue and Gold. Hardy also posted double-digit kills six times, including a season-high 19-kill performance against Chattanooga. The Buccaneer middle blocker recorded at least one block in each of the 14 matches to extend her streak of finishing with one block to 110 consecutive matches.

The senior from Kingsport, Tenn., was recognized at each of the three tournaments in which she competed in September, earning “Best Blocker” honors at the Patriot Invitational and earning all-tournament honors at the Lipscomb Invitational and the VCU Invitational.

For her career, Hardy has 1,118 career kills and 552 career blocks.  

Hardy and the Bucs wrap up their three-match homestand Tuesday night when ETSU hosts MTSU in non-conference play. First serve is set for 6 p.m. inside Brooks Gym.

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