ROME, Ga. - Matching a season-high of 17 kills against North Carolina Wesleyan University, senior Savannah Hovander displayed top-notch outings in the Monarchs midweek conference victory over the Battling Bishops, along with earning 28 combined kills during Methodist's split at their tri-match versus Greensboro and Sweet Briar College, landing her USA South Women's Volleyball Player of the Week recognition, as announced by the conference offices on Monday afternoon.
 
Hovander becomes the second player to earn conference weekly honors this season, with freshman Harper Evans earning USA South Women's Volleyball Rookie of the Week over the past two weeks. Methodist University women's volleyball has won USA South weekly recognition for the third-straight week in their 2026 campaign.
 
During the Monarchs 3-1 USA South victory over N.C. Wesleyan Hovander played in all four sets, matching a season-best 17 kills in 43 attempts, hitting .279. Hovander contributed to Methodist's scoring with one assist, while recording two digs and two total blocks defensively.
 
The Monarchs fell just shy of a conference win against Greensboro College during game one of the tri-match in the Triad. Hovander logged 12 kills in 33 attempts, hitting .121 in four sets. Defensively, Hovander would throw the Pride off their game with five service aces, six digs, and three total blocks. However, Hovander would dominate in Methodist's 3-0 win over the Vixens with 16 kills in 23 total attempts, hitting .522 with two assists in three sets of action. Defensively, Hovander commanded the court with two service aces with one dig and two total blocks.