Ogbechie Added to Player of the Year Watch List

Nebraska sophomore middle blocker Manaia Ogbechie was added to the AVCA Player of the Year Watch List on Thursday, the AVCA announced.

Ogbechie is one of 16 players being added mid-season to the initial list of 30 announced in July, which included Huskers Andi Jackson, Harper Murray and Bergen Reilly.

Ogbechie is off to a strong start in her sophomore campaign with 2.19 kills per set on .427 hitting and 1.21 blocks per set. Ogbechie’s hitting percentage ranks fifth in the Big Ten and 14th nationally.

The sophomore was named Big Ten Player of the Week earlier this season after totaling 33 kills on .547 hitting and adding 12 blocks on the defensive end to help the top-ranked Huskers to a 3-0 week against New Mexico, No. 20 Baylor and Georgia Tech.

The Player of the Year Watch List was compiled by the AVCA Division I Women’s Volleyball Awards Committee. They will also be the group working on the additional phases of the Player of the Year process. The semifinalists will be named in November. Finalists will be announced on Dec. 14, and the Player of the Year Award will be presented in San Antonio at the AVCA Awards Banquet on Friday, Dec. 18.