Florida State University Athletics
Knuth Named Sports Imports/AVCA National Player of the Week
2/17/2021 1:08:53 PM | Women's Volleyball
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Seminoles.com) – Senior middle blocker Taryn Knuth’s dominant performance last week vs. Clemson was noticed on a national scale. She has been named the Sports Imports/AVCA Player of the Week, announced on Wednesday by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.
In two matches against the Tigers on Feb. 13, the Johnston, Iowa, native combined for 23 kills, 3.29 kills per set, 23 blocks, 3.29 blocks per set, a .767 hitting percentage and no attack errors in 30 swings.
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She set a career high with 16 blocks in the spring opener vs. Clemson, which marked the most by a Seminole in both the rally scoring era and in ACC play. Her 16 blocks are tied for the third most in FSU history and were the most since Gabrielle Reece had 16 vs. Louisville on Nov. 17, 1990. Prior to 2001, sideout scoring was used in NCAA Volleyball instead of the current rally scoring era.
“I am super proud of Taryn,” head coach Chris Poole said. “She had not played in a volleyball match since the NCAA Tournament in 2019. With her graduating in December 2020, she had a decision to make on whether to return or not. We are very thankful to have her back.”
.@tarynknuth made a triumphant return today with a career-high 16 blocks! pic.twitter.com/wkLdU1rrDu
— FSU Volleyball (@FSU_Volleyball) February 13, 2021
Knuth is the NCAA’s active leaders in career blocks per set at 1.62, a rather sizeable lead over the next active leader (Dana Rettke, Wisconsin, 1.47). In her opener vs. Clemson, she had 14 kills on 20 attacks (.700 hitting percentage), and followed with nine kills on 10 attacks in the second match (.900).
Nationally, Knuth’s 533 total blocks rank second on the active career list behind Wisconsin’s Rettke (538). Knuth missed the fall season due to injury.
Her performance against Clemson helped elevate FSU to a season-opening sweep, winning 3-1 (19-25, 25-19, 25-15, 25-15) in the opener at Tully Gym, followed by a 3-0 win (25-20, 25-14, 25-12).
FSU has the weekend off from spring play, but will return at home on Friday, Feb. 26, vs. Troy at 6 p.m.