VB’s Rakhmanchik Earns Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week
9/15/2026 2:00:00 PM | Volleyball
Haggard named to the Big 12 Starting Seven following a big weekend at the Ameritas Challenge
WACO, Texas – Baylor volleyball's Ksenia Rakhmanchik was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, while Isabela Haggard was selected to the league's Starting Seven, the conference announced Tuesday.
The honor marks the fifth career weekly award from the Big 12 for Rakhmanchik, who has now earned Offensive Player of the Week honors twice after being named the league's Rookie of the Week three times in 2025.
Rakhmanchik was dominant throughout Baylor's 2-1 showing at the Ameritas Challenge, totaling 54 kills, a .302 hitting percentage and 6.00 kills per set across three matches. She opened the weekend with 19 kills and a .333 hitting percentage against Georgia Tech before recording 18 kills against No. 1 Nebraska and 17 more against New Mexico.
Against the top-ranked Huskers, Rakhmanchik led the Bears with 18 kills on 47 attacks (.277), helping Baylor become the only team this season to reach 20 points in multiple sets against Nebraska. The Bears pushed the nation's No. 1 team to 25-20, 25-22 and 26-24 decisions. Rakhmanchik added 16 digs and three aces during the three-match weekend while totaling 57.5 points.
With her performance at the Ameritas Challenge, Rakhmanchik now leads the Big 12 in kills per set at 4.78, following a strong freshman season with a remarkable start to her sophomore campaign.
Haggard, meanwhile, was named to the conference's Starting Seven, a new Big 12 distinction established this season to shine additional light on big-time performances around the league.
The recognition is the first Big 12 weekly distinction of Haggard's career, though she arrived in Waco with an impressive list of accolades from her freshman season at Marquette. Haggard was named the BIG EAST Co-Freshman of the Year, earned BIG EAST Setter of the Week honors three times and was selected to the BIG EAST Honor Roll three times.
Haggard orchestrated Baylor's offense throughout the Ameritas Challenge, recording 119 assists and averaging 10.11 assists per set while helping the Bears hit .264 as a team. Against No. 1 Nebraska, she posted 22 assists, three kills, two aces and six digs. She closed the weekend with 32 assists and four kills on seven attacks (.571) against New Mexico.
Rakhmanchik, Haggard and the rest of the Bears return to action in a Texas two-step at the Ferrell Center this week, hosting Incarnate Word at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, followed by a 7 p.m. tilt with UTEP on Friday night. Both matches are available on ESPN+, with stats available at BaylorBears.com/Stats.
Season and single-match tickets for the 2026 season are on sale now. You can find them at BaylorBears.com/tickets or by calling the Baylor Athletics Ticket Office at 254-710-1000.
To stay up to date with Baylor Volleyball all year long, follow the program on Instagram, Facebook, X and TikTok: @BaylorVBall. Want to support the team? You can do so by giving to the One Way Club.
The honor marks the fifth career weekly award from the Big 12 for Rakhmanchik, who has now earned Offensive Player of the Week honors twice after being named the league's Rookie of the Week three times in 2025.
Rakhmanchik was dominant throughout Baylor's 2-1 showing at the Ameritas Challenge, totaling 54 kills, a .302 hitting percentage and 6.00 kills per set across three matches. She opened the weekend with 19 kills and a .333 hitting percentage against Georgia Tech before recording 18 kills against No. 1 Nebraska and 17 more against New Mexico.
Against the top-ranked Huskers, Rakhmanchik led the Bears with 18 kills on 47 attacks (.277), helping Baylor become the only team this season to reach 20 points in multiple sets against Nebraska. The Bears pushed the nation's No. 1 team to 25-20, 25-22 and 26-24 decisions. Rakhmanchik added 16 digs and three aces during the three-match weekend while totaling 57.5 points.
With her performance at the Ameritas Challenge, Rakhmanchik now leads the Big 12 in kills per set at 4.78, following a strong freshman season with a remarkable start to her sophomore campaign.
Haggard, meanwhile, was named to the conference's Starting Seven, a new Big 12 distinction established this season to shine additional light on big-time performances around the league.
The recognition is the first Big 12 weekly distinction of Haggard's career, though she arrived in Waco with an impressive list of accolades from her freshman season at Marquette. Haggard was named the BIG EAST Co-Freshman of the Year, earned BIG EAST Setter of the Week honors three times and was selected to the BIG EAST Honor Roll three times.
Haggard orchestrated Baylor's offense throughout the Ameritas Challenge, recording 119 assists and averaging 10.11 assists per set while helping the Bears hit .264 as a team. Against No. 1 Nebraska, she posted 22 assists, three kills, two aces and six digs. She closed the weekend with 32 assists and four kills on seven attacks (.571) against New Mexico.
Rakhmanchik, Haggard and the rest of the Bears return to action in a Texas two-step at the Ferrell Center this week, hosting Incarnate Word at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, followed by a 7 p.m. tilt with UTEP on Friday night. Both matches are available on ESPN+, with stats available at BaylorBears.com/Stats.
Season and single-match tickets for the 2026 season are on sale now. You can find them at BaylorBears.com/tickets or by calling the Baylor Athletics Ticket Office at 254-710-1000.
To stay up to date with Baylor Volleyball all year long, follow the program on Instagram, Facebook, X and TikTok: @BaylorVBall. Want to support the team? You can do so by giving to the One Way Club.
—Baylorbears.com—
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