Miller earns SEC Defensive Player of the Week

FAYETTEVILLE — University of Arkansas junior Ashley Miller earned Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors the league office announced Monday. Miller, a libero from Vacaville, Calif., tallied a team-leading 53 digs leading Arkansas to a 3-0 start last weekend winning the Oklahoma Invitational. Miller earned all-tournament team honors helping the Lady’Backs to victories over Idaho, North Carolina and Oklahoma. "Ashley had a great weekend playing a different position than she’s ever played in her life" said Arkansas head coach Chris Poole. "She’s giving us a chance to try some different things with our defense. We’re depending a lot on her right now especially with some other players down." Miller had previously played left back but moved to middle back last weekend. "Ashley’s playing a different role than before," Poole continued, but she’s done an excellent job with the transition and this award is a reflection of her hard work." Miller’s weekend included 14 digs against Idaho in a four-game win and 14 against host Oklahoma in a five-game thriller. She tallied 25 digs in the three-game win over North Carolina, missing the three-game record of 26. Miller has rewritten the Arkansas dig records since the NCAA implemented the libero position for collegiate volleyball in 1992. She holds the record for digs in a match with 32 set in a five-game win over Utah last year. She also holds seven of the top 15 marks including digs in a three-game match (26). The junior holds the single-season dig record with 548 set last year and also holds the second-place mark with 510 as a freshman. She is one of just five players to record more than 1,000 career digs currently ranking fourth with 1111. She needs just 32 more to move into the number three spot all-time. Arkansas returns to action this weekend, opening at home hosting the Arkansas Invitational, Thursday-Saturday. Play begins when the Lady’Backs take on Sacramento State Thursday at 7:00 p.m., in Barnhill Arena. For more information or tickets please call the Lady Razorback Ticket Office at 57-LBACK or log on to LADYBACKS.COM.