BELLEVUE, Wash. - Carson-Newman senior outside hitter Molly Locke (College Grove, Tenn.) was named the Division II volleyball Hero of the Week by Hero Sports after helping the Eagles to a 3-1 record in their first weekend of action. She also won the Astroturf South Atlantic Conference's Player of the Week honor in her first weekend in a Carson-Newman uniform for Locke, a transfer from Mercer.

The honor was voted on by fans over the last week as Locke earned 50 percent of the vote edging out Tartleton State's Hailey Roberts by 21 votes. Roberts currently leads the nation in kills with 205. Ten players were nominated for the honor.

The senior made a huge impact in her first game, a five-set victory over the Quincy Hawks. Locke finished with a match-high 27 kills and 20 digs, one of two double-doubles over the weekend. The College Grove, Tenn. native became the first Carson-Newman player to record a match with 20 kills and 20 digs since assistant coach Rachel Harper had 22 kills and 25 digs in a five-set match against Newberry on October 19, 2012. She also became the first player with 25 or more kills since Carly Mozgai had 29 at Catawba on November 12, 2010.

"I have really high standards," Locke said. "Not only for myself but for this team and this entire year. I know a lot of people left last year leaving big holes and there are big shoes to fill. I'm ready for us to make our own mark. I really think after this weekend as a player and as a team we can reach those."

On September 5, Locke piled up 12 kills and 26 digs in a four-set victory over Lock Haven before concluding with 11 kills and a .269 attack percentage in a sweep of Bemidji State.

Overall, the outside hitter averaged 3.71 kills per set racking up 52 kills on a .222 attack percentage to go along with 55 digs and four service aces. 

Locke currently ranks 35th in the country by averaging 3.95 kills per set and 39th nationally with 4.45 points per frame. 

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