Sept. 15, 2008
BIG TEN VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
CO-OFFENSE
Lauren Gibbemeyer, Minnesota
So., MB, St. Paul, Minn./Cretin Derham Hall
Gibbemeyer was named MVP of Minnesota's Diet Coke Classic after she led the Golden Gophers to wins over No. 4 Cal, No. 16 Cal Poly and Notre Dame over the weekend. The sophomore averaged 3.2 kills, 2.0 digs and 2.0 blocks per set as Minnesota improved to 8-1 on the season with three total victories over top-25 opponents. Against the Golden Bears, Gibbemeyer put down 11 kills on a .450 hitting percentage with eight blocks and three digs as the Gophers earned a sweep, matching the team's highest-ranked victory in school history. Against Cal Poly on Saturday, she tallied 15 kills on a .345 hitting percentage with five digs and seven blocks before recording a career-high 12 digs against Notre Dame on Sunday. Gibbemeyer currently ranks second in the Big Ten with 1.52 blocks per set, including a 1.80 bps average against ranked opponents. The award is the first of Gibbemeyer's career.
Last MINN POW: Christine Tan (defense), Sept. 1, 2008
Stephanie Lynch, Purdue
Sr., MH, New Albany, Ind./New Albany
Lynch earned MVP honors at the Utah Classic, racking up 4.1 kills, 1.4 blocks and 0.6 digs per set over the weekend. The senior totaled 19 stuffs in 14 sets to surpass the 500 blocks milestone, now with 510 in her career. Lynch led the Boilermakers in kills in all three matches, recording 14 against St. Louis, 18 versus Utah State and a season-high 25 against Utah in the tournament's championship game. The 25 hits marked the third-highest total in the Big Ten this season. In all, Lynch tallied 57 total kills on a .533 hitting percentage, including a .564 mark against Utah in which she put down 10 hits in Set 4 alone. The award is the third of Lynch's career as she was also honored once as a junior and once as a sophomore.
Last PUR POW: Stephanie Lynch (defense), Nov. 5, 2007
DEFENSE
Kelli Miller, Purdue
Sr., LIB, Muncie, Ind./Muncie Central
Miller became Purdue's all-time digs leader, tallying 53 saves over the weekend to total 1,602 in her career. The senior recorded 19 digs in the Boilermakers' opening match vs. St. Louis before breaking the previous school record of 1,564 against Utah State with 23 saves. Miller tacked on 34 digs against Utah in the championship game of the Utah Classic, posting the Big Ten's third-highest single-match digs total this season. The effort was Miller's fifth career 30-dig effort, giving her three of the top five single-match totals in Purdue annals. On the weekend, Miller executed on 97 percent of her service reception opportunities and also recorded six assists and one ace in 14 sets. Behind Miller, the Boilermaker defense held opponents to just a .123 combined hitting percentage. The weekly honor is the fourth of Miller's career as she was recognized twice in 2006 and once last season.
Last PUR POW: Stephanie Lynch (defense), Nov. 5, 2007
