Sydney Hilley Earns PVF Player of the Week Honors

Hilley, a setter who also overtook Athletes Unlimited Pro Volleyball with multiple weekly MVP’s in her two seasons, is no stranger to weekly accolades. She has consistently been recognized for her stellar play, and her latest performances further solidified her reputation as one of the top setters in the league.

In a five-set thriller against Columbus on March 20, Hilley delivered a season-high 68 assists, orchestrating the Ignite offense to perfection. She also added 11 digs, securing her 10th double-double of the season. Her leadership at the net helped five Ignite players reach double-digit kills. Alongside her assist and dig totals, she chipped in with a block and an ace, making her presence felt in all aspects of the game.

 

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Just two days later, on March 22, Hilley once again led the charge as the Ignite swept the defending PVF champion Omaha Supernovas on the road. In that match, she recorded 40 assists, seven digs, two blocks, and a kill, helping her team to a dominant victory over the league’s second-place squad.

Currently, Hilley leads the PVF in both total assists (908) and assists per set (11.95). She’s also tied for fifth in service aces (13) and is currently second in the league in active career assists with 1,540. At her current pace, she’s on track to break the PVF season records for total assists (1,000) and assists per set (10.99). With 19 matches played, she’s already closing in on those marks, proving her consistency and playmaking ability.

Despite her individual success, Hilley credits her teammates for making the award possible.

“I really think when a setter gets an award like this, it’s a reflection of the whole team,” she said. “I couldn’t do my job well without the ball control and attacking that my teammates provide. A big thank you to my teammates – who are the ones who make me look good – and my coaches who have helped me improve so much throughout this season.”

Ignite head coach George Padjen praised Hilley’s ability to elevate those around her.

“She’s done a great job recognizing our middles that have improved significantly the past two months, and it’s opened up the offense for everybody else,” Padjen said. “She definitely has the full game and she’s been playing with more joy lately, which is important. She has been playing more free. I think part of that is the chemistry and the team is coming together. She couldn’t be more deserving of this award.”

Having a balanced offense is crucial in volleyball, as it keeps opposing defenses guessing and prevents them from keying in on one hitter. As a setter, leading that charge requires strong decision-making, trust in teammates, and the ability to read the game in real-time. Hilley’s ability to distribute the ball efficiently and involve all of her attackers has made the Ignite one of the most dynamic offensive teams in the league.

Hilley and the Ignite return to action on Sunday, March 30, in a high-stakes Week 12 matchup against the Orlando Valkyries. With Hilley running the offense at an elite level, the Ignite are poised to keep their momentum going as they push to keep rising in the weekly PVF standings. The match, featuring six Athletes Unlimited standouts, will stream live on the PVF YouTube Channel at 3 p.m. ET.

Indy Ignite

• Sydney Hilley
• Leketor Member-Meneh

Orlando Valkyries

• Kaz Brown
• Brittany Abercrombie
• M’Kaela White
• Lindsey Vander Weide

Alex Jean Glover is a former collegiate volleyball player and multi-sport reporter, serving as a correspondent for Athletes Unlimited. You can follow her on Instagram @alexjeannnn.