Ashley Wittman (Shakopee, Minn.) was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week according to an announcement by the conference office on Monday, Sept. 27.

Wittman has now won the honor three times in the first five weeks of the season. Wittman's three Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors already are the second-highest total of any player since the award started in 2009. Penn State's Darcy Dorton claimed the honors four times last year, while Indiana's Jordan Haverly won it three times. Tabi Love also claimed the honors twice for the Gophers in 2009.

On the week, Wittman averaged 3.25 kps, hit .444. (26-2-54) with 2.75 dps and 0.62 blps in her first two career Big Ten contests. She hit .529 (10-1-17) with 10 kills, five digs and three blocks in her first career Big Ten contest in a three-set win at Michigan State. Wittman also collected 16 kills and committed only one error in 37 swings in a five-set loss to No. 22 Michigan. She hit .405 and also had 17 digs. She also received 63 of 64 serves perfectly on the week.

Wittman enters the week eighth in the Big Ten in kills (3.52 kps) and ninth in points (4.07 pps).