Michigan State sophomore setter Malayah Long was named Division I Women’s Player of the Week by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Tuesday.
Long is the first Spartan to receive the award since 2013, and the seventh ever. The last Spartan to receive the award was Lauren Wicinski on Oct. 1, 2013, who was also the program's first recipient in a decade. She was also named Big Ten Setter of the Week this past Monday.
Long, a Lincoln, Nebraska native, led the Spartans to two road victories in Big Ten play last week, sweeping UCLA on Oct. 2 before defeating USC in five sets on Oct. 4. She guided MSU to a combined .316 hitting efficiency across the two matches, where she played a key role in both victories. Her 12.13 assists per set ranked second in the Big Ten last week. MSU also averaged 14.75 kills per set, ranking third in the Big Ten last week.
Her strongest performance came against USC, where she recorded a career-high 65 assists, the most by a Spartan since Natalie Emro in 2009. Her 65 assists lead all Big Ten players this season and are tied for the sixth-most in NCAA history. Long totaled 32 assists, 5 digs and a pair of blocks and kills against MSU’s sweep of UCLA.
Long started in all 14 matches this season, along with junior middle blocker Carmen Waye and senior outside hitter Alanna Bankston. She appeared in 47 of the Spartans' 49 sets and leads MSU with 479 assists and 22 service aces, while averaging 10.19 assists per set.
Long’s recognition comes as MSU volleyball returned to the national rankings. The Spartans entered this week's AVCA poll at No. 22, which marked the program's first national ranking since 2018. The Spartans entered this week's AVCA poll at No. 22, which marked the program's first national ranking since 2018.
The Spartans will take on No. 13 Oregon at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 at Breslin Center. The game will stream live on Big Ten Plus.
