Ruffing, Thiaw Named OCCAC Players of the Week In Volleyball, Soccer

By Nicholas Huenefeld/OCCAC Sports Information

Stephanie Ruffing, a sophomore outside hitter for Columbus State Community College, and Mohamed Thiaw, a freshman midfielder for Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, have been named the OCCAC Player of the Week in women's volleyball and men's soccer.

For Ruffing, this is the second consecutive week and third time this season she has won the award. She produced a season-high 37 kills, along with 20 digs and four blocks to help Columbus State defeat No. 5 Kirkwood Community College in five sets on Saturday. Additionally, she had 16 kills, 12 digs and two blocks in a conference win over Sinclair. 

For the week, Ruffing totaled 98 kills, four assists, two aces, 71 digs and 10 blocks over five matches. Her team went 4-1 and only lost to No. 3 Illinois Central College.

This season, Ruffing leads the nation in kills per set at 5.43 and hitting percentage at .543.

"Stephanie could not be stopped offensively against Kirkwood while posting a season high of 37 kills," said Columbus State head women's volleyball coach Jaclynn Yocum. "Her physical strength and ability to see the court makes it extremely difficult to defend her attack."

Columbus State is currently 25-1 overall and 10-0 in OCCAC play. They begin their final week of regular season play with a Wednesday road tilt at Cincinnati State before traveling to Lorain County on Friday and Owens on Saturday.

For Thiaw, he pushed his impressive streak of consecutive games scored to nine. Over the season's first seven games, Thiaw had two goals. In the past nine, he has 13. For the season, he has 15 goals and five assists overall. He has eight goals in conference play.

This past weekend, Thiaw had three goals and one assist to lead No. 13 Cincinnati State past No. 6 Schoolcraft College on Saturday. He then had one goal and two assists in a 7-0 win over Jackson College on Sunday.

Beginning with the Oct. 11 tie at Lakeland, Thiaw had scored or assisted on eight straight Cincinnati State goals.

Cincinnati State is currently 13-3-1 overall and 5-0-1 in OCCAC play. They will close their regular season on Thursday at 11 a.m. at Lake Michigan College.