Yesterday afternoon Bearcats libero Payton Frederick was named to the AAC Honor Roll for the second time this season after a dominating week where she anchored the back line as she recorded 45 digs in the Bearcats two matches including a team high 27 in the Bearcats 3-1 victory over Tulsa on Sunday, one dig shy of her career high. Frederick averaged 5.83 digs per set over the last week and has been a dominant force as she has done a fantastic job anchoring the back line as she has recorded double digit digs in 16 of the teams 18 matches.
“It definitely was a team’s performance; we definitely needed this weekend. I think our block set up was great, and whenever our block is good, it helps the back court a lot. We knew heading into that match that they were a scrappy team that picks up a lot of balls so for us to play like we did and out dig them it was huge for us and if we can continue that throughout the season we will be in great shape,” said Frederick.
Frederick a Louisville, Kentucky native had been a very important piece to the Bearcats volleyball team this season as she joins a senior class that includes Madison Waters, Kerstin Ficker, Kailea Carrier and Maria Tobergte. “If I can be out there and be steady and consistent that definitely helps. We have such a close team, and a great dynamic, like all of us have said, this team chemistry even though we have had our ups and downs this season, but for us to stay together like we have is something you can’t ask much more of,” said Frederick.
Frederick is currently 4th in the AAC in digs as she has recorded 276 digs, as she averages 4.47 digs per set in conference play and has dominated the back line since joining the Bearcats in 2020. For those who don’t know Frederick just passed the 1000 dig milestone earlier this season and continues to climb the ranks as she closes out her senior season.
The Bearcats will be back in action this Friday at 6 pm when they welcome in nationally ranked UCF to Fifth Third Arena for another weekend homestand as they look to kick off the weekend with a huge win vs a very tough and aggressive UCF team.
