Gallagher earns Big Ten Freshman of the Week award

From ids reports

Freshman setter Katie Gallagher was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week. This is the first time in three years a Hoosier volleyball player has won the award.

Gallagher led IU to a perfect 3-0 start to the season last weekend.

She has been the team’s primary setter in practice and in games, with senior setter Whitney Granado out until mid- to late September as she battles an illness.

Gallagher leads the Big Ten in assists per set, averaging 12.91 over the first three matches.

The freshman topped the 50 assist mark twice during the weekend when the Hoosiers downed Army and Stony Brook. Gallagher also led the team in total digs this weekend with 38.

“It was great to see Katie step into such a big role her first collegiate weekend,” IU Coach Sherry Dunbar said. “She displayed a very calming presence and allowed the hitters to do their job.”

In the final point against Stony Brook, Gallagher recorded her first collegiate ace to secure the win for the Hoosiers.

Gallagher did not learn she was the recipient of the award until after a teammate, junior defensive specialist Caitlin Hansen, congratulated her in the locker room.

“I just found out in the locker room, actually,” Gallagher said. “Caitlin was like, ‘Congratulations,’ and I said, ‘Thanks, but what are you talking about?’”

Gallagher said she is working hard this week to improve the consistency with her tempo for the Hoosiers’ upcoming matches.

“I’m definitely working on keeping a consistent tempo to the pin hitters now,” she said. “I’m going to keep working on it this week and hopefully execute it for the weekend.”

— Evan Hoopfer