NDSU's Lopez and WIU's Murphy Capture First Weekly Volleyball Awards
ELMHURST, Ill. - North Dakota State's Jennifer Lopez and Western Illinois' Bridget Murphy were named The Summit League's Offensive and Defensive Volleyball Players of the Week for their performances Aug. 26-28, marking the initial awards of the 2011 season.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jennifer Lopez, North Dakota State
Sr., S (Glyndon, Minn./Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton)
Lopez garners her third career Offensive Player of the Week award after leading the Bison to a 3-1 opening weekend at the Missouri Tiger Invitational. The senior setter helped the NDSU offense outhit its opponents .342 to .181 on the weekend and dished out no less than 26 assists in all four matches on the weekend, including three of 30 or better. She was perfect from the net posting a .765 hitting percentage with 13 kills and no errors in 17 attempts. In the final match of the tournament, Lopez was one dig shy of a double-double with 30 assists and nine digs. For the weekend, she totaled 122 assists averaging 10.17 per set, a .765 hitting percentage (13-0-17), 22 digs, five aces and three blocks.
Also nominated: Emily Spencer, IPFW; Moriah Fair, IUPUI; Emily Lucas, UMKC; Brittany Holbrook, Oakland; Sheina Fernandes, Oral Roberts; Kendall Kritenbrink, South Dakota; Kelli Fiegen, South Dakota State; Analaine Pelaez-Mailoto, Southern Utah; Katie Hosteng, Western Illinois.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Bridget Murphy, Western Illinois
Jr., DS (New Lenox, Ill./Providence Catholic)
Murphy earns her first career Defensive Player of the Week award after helping Western Illinois capture the SIU Edwardsville Invitational crown with a 3-1 record where she was named the tournament MVP. The defensive specialist recorded double-digit digs in all four matches of the tournament, notching a career-high 34 against Kent State. She also set a personal-best with five service aces against the Golden Flashes. On the weekend, Murphy recorded 94 digs averaging 5.88 per set and five aces.
Also nominated: Tessa McGill, IPFW; Shari Bernhardt, IUPUI; Nicole Kerkman, UMKC; Alli Kirk, Oakland; Bruna Silva, Oral Roberts; Riley Haug, South Dakota; Shay Birath, South Dakota State.
