DuFault recognized after helping UCI become No. 1

UC Irvine outside hitter Jordan DuFault has been named National Player of the Week by the American Volleyball Coaches’ Assn. and also received the same honor in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.

The 6-foot-4 outside hitter hit .491 and averaged 4.43 kills and 4.93 points per set to help the then-No. 2-ranked Anteaters post MPSF home wins over then-No. 1-ranked Pepperdine (Saturday) and then-No. 4-ranked USC (Wednesday).

DuFault hit .500 with 17 kills in 32 attempts, with only one error, in the four-game triumph over USC. He had six digs and three blocks against the Trojans.

In the sweep of Pepperdine, he hit .480 with 14 kills, committing just two errors on 25 swings. He added six digs and four blocks against the Waves.

DuFault’s play helped the ’Eaters (22-4, 17-3 in the MPSF) move into a tie for first with Pepperdine atop the conference standings, as well as regain the top national ranking.

UCI closes the regular season Friday at Stanford and Saturday at Pacific.

Pepperdine plays host to BYU Thursday and Friday.

— From staff reports