CHATTANOOGA – Paige Gallentine was dominant in October.
Chattanooga indoor volleyball's libero posted 20 or more digs in six of UTC's 10 matches en route to 206 in the month. Gallentine picked up her first career Southern Conference monthly honor after being named the SoCon Defensive Player of the Month of October. The league announced the award on Thursday afternoon.
"Paige is incredibly deserving of this award and I am super happy her play and hard work is being recognized," said head coach Travis Filar. "Her mentality has grown stronger this fall which has allowed her to grow as one of the best liberos in the league."
Gallentine began the month with a 28-dig performance in the Mocs' five-set win at Furman. A week, later she surpassed that total, posting 30 digs vs. Samford. Her third 25+ dig performance came at ETSU as the libero led the three-set match with 25 digs.
The Fenton, Mich. native averaged 5.62 digs per set in the month, which led all SoCon players, and slotted seven aces. She is the only libero in the league with 25 or more digs in five matches this season, three of those came in October.
"Paige has been our backcourt leader from day one in August," Filar added. "She would be the first to say this is also a team award because when we are consistent and disciplined with our defense and blocking, and then also pressuring our opponents with balance on offense, it allows Paige to take over matches defensively."
Gallentine's selection marks the sixth time a Moc received a player of the month accolade since 2003 and the first since Megan Kaufman earned defensive laurels in 2017.
Chattanooga returns to the court this weekend with a 7 p.m. match on Friday at Mercer followed by an 8 p.m. first serve at Samford.
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