Kills get the most attention. A service ace might produce the most humiliation in the sport. A diving dig is the best way for a libero to show off and earn cheers.
Allie Paulsen will take the stuff-block, that one-on-one victory at the net that turns defense into offense in an instant.
"I'm the biggest believer that defense wins games," Paulsen said. "I would rather get a solo stuff-block than get a kill. It's just so much more rewarding to prove you can shut down hitters."
Paulsen, a redshirt sophomore middle blocker, is piling up those rewards recently.