Cal Poly's Vanessa Gilliam earned Most Valuable Player honors at the Patriot Invitational and was selected the Big West Women's Volleyball Player of the Week.
Cal Poly senior Vanessa Gilliam (Fairfield, CA/Washington) garnered Big West Women's Volleyball Player of the Week accolades for her exceptional performance in the Patriot Invitational, leading the Mustangs to a 4-0 week and capturing tournament Most Valuable Player recognition.
The Mustangs defeated TCU, Maryland-Baltimore County, Seton Hall and host George Mason over the two-day event and improved their record to 4-1. Gilliam averaged 5.25 kills, 1.75 digs, 0.75 blocks and 0.38 service aces per game. She hit .301 (84-26-193) for the week.
Gilliam opened the tournament with 23 kills apiece against TCU and UMBC. She hit .360 (23-5-50) against the Horned Frogs with eight digs and four blocks. The 6-2 outside hitter added 11 digs versus the Retrievers for her first double-double of the season.
She followed that up with 19 kills in each of the final two matches of the tournament. Against Seton Hall, she chipped in five digs and three blocks as the Mustangs won in four games. Gilliam hit a solid .387 (19-7-31) in the finale against George Mason.
With the four tournament wins, Cal Poly is just one win off of last year's win total.