JT Hatch Named Volleyball's National Freshman of the Week
Off the Block announced on Monday that UCLA outside hitter JT Hatch was selected as the Off the Block National Freshman of the Week. It is the second time this season that Hatch has been the recipient of the honors.
Hatch registered a Bruin season-best 25 kills in Saturday's five-set loss at USC. He hit .380 in the match and added four block assists and a block solo. Hatch received 31 serves in the match with one reception error.
Last Thursday, Hatch totaled eight kills and five block assists in a four-set win at Cal Baptist.
Hatch has totaled at least 10 kills in a match in a team-best eight contests this season. Hatch's 28.0 points scored at USC was also the most by a Bruin player in a match this season.
When honored earlier this season, Hatch recorded a match-high 17 kills on a .469 hitting percentage and added seven digs as UCLA defeated No. 14 CSUN in four sets on Mar. 3. The Mesa, Ariz. native's hitting totals were achieved in just three sets as he started the match against the Matadors at the libero position.
The outside attacker also registered 23 kills in a five-set loss to No. 10 Long Beach State on Mar 6. He became the first Bruin to reach the 20-kill mark this season during the match (he was later joined by fellow Bruin freshman, Christian Hessenauer - 20).
The Off the Block National Freshman of the Week is presented each week during the regular season to the NCAA Division I-II men's volleyball freshman who had the most outstanding performance. The winner is announced on Mondays on the the Off the Block website, offtheblock.com.
Hatch and the Bruin team will be back in action tonight and on Tuesday against top-ranked Hawai'i at 7 p.m. in Pauley Pavilion.