University of Georgia Athletics
Photo by: Sofia Yaker/UGAAA
Harper Collects SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week
October 05, 2026 | Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – University of Georgia middle blocker Tori Harper has been named the Southeastern Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced Monday.
This is Tori's first SEC weekly award in 2026 and the second of her career.
"Tori deserves this as much as any human could," head coach Tom Black said. "She has changed positions halfway through her career, re-learned her craft, always put the team first, in deed, not just words, and constantly learns. There are no secrets to Tori's success, just sustained daily effort, and we couldn't be prouder of her."
Harper led the Bulldog block this week, helping guide Georgia to a 2-0 week, and lengthening the Bulldogs' win streak to eight matches. Harper co-led the team with six blocks, tying a personal season high, against Arkansas on Friday, Oct. 2, then recorded a new season-best nine (1 solo, 8 assists) against Oklahoma on Sunday, Oct. 4. That mark is the most by a Bulldog in 2026 and ties for sixth-most by a Bulldog in a four-set match. As a team, Georgia had 14.0 blocks against the Sooners, also a team season best.
The Reno native totaled 15 blocks over the weekend, averaging 1.88 per set. On the offensive side of the ball, she tallied 12 total kills and served up a pair of aces in the Oklahoma match.
Harper is the fourth Bulldog to be named a player of the week by the conference this season. She joins Bianna Muoneke (two-time Offensive Player of the Week), Gigi Artiles (two-time Freshman of the Week), and Chloe Elarton (Setter of the Week). This ties the program record for individuals to win a player of the week award and is the first time Georgia has had an offensive, a defensive, a setter, and a freshman of the week in a single season. Georgia's six awards are the most since 2019 (7).
Georgia will take its eight-match win streak on the road this weekend to Starkville, Mississippi, on Friday and Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on Sunday.
This is Tori's first SEC weekly award in 2026 and the second of her career.
"Tori deserves this as much as any human could," head coach Tom Black said. "She has changed positions halfway through her career, re-learned her craft, always put the team first, in deed, not just words, and constantly learns. There are no secrets to Tori's success, just sustained daily effort, and we couldn't be prouder of her."
Harper led the Bulldog block this week, helping guide Georgia to a 2-0 week, and lengthening the Bulldogs' win streak to eight matches. Harper co-led the team with six blocks, tying a personal season high, against Arkansas on Friday, Oct. 2, then recorded a new season-best nine (1 solo, 8 assists) against Oklahoma on Sunday, Oct. 4. That mark is the most by a Bulldog in 2026 and ties for sixth-most by a Bulldog in a four-set match. As a team, Georgia had 14.0 blocks against the Sooners, also a team season best.
The Reno native totaled 15 blocks over the weekend, averaging 1.88 per set. On the offensive side of the ball, she tallied 12 total kills and served up a pair of aces in the Oklahoma match.
Harper is the fourth Bulldog to be named a player of the week by the conference this season. She joins Bianna Muoneke (two-time Offensive Player of the Week), Gigi Artiles (two-time Freshman of the Week), and Chloe Elarton (Setter of the Week). This ties the program record for individuals to win a player of the week award and is the first time Georgia has had an offensive, a defensive, a setter, and a freshman of the week in a single season. Georgia's six awards are the most since 2019 (7).
Georgia will take its eight-match win streak on the road this weekend to Starkville, Mississippi, on Friday and Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on Sunday.
Players Mentioned
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/ VolleyballSunday, October 04
Friday, October 02
Wednesday, September 23
Saturday, September 19