Sept. 22, 2008
BIG TEN VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
OFFENSE
Nicole Fawcett, Penn State
Sr., OH, Zanesfield, Ohio/Benjamin Logan
Fawcett earns her second Player of the Week award of the season after earning MVP honors at the Hampton Inn Penn State Classic. Behind Fawcett’s efforts, the Nittany Lions earned three sweeps over the weekend, remaining undefeated on the season in matches and sets. The senior from Zanesfield, Ohio, averaged 4.0 kills per set on the strength of a .689 hitting percentage, also contributing 1.9 digs and 0.6 blocks per set on the weekend. Despite playing just one and a half sets in the tournament opener vs. Yale, Fawcett recorded two aces, three block assists, five digs and a kill as the Nittany Lions routed the Bulldogs. On Saturday, Fawcett recorded 15 kills on a .737 hitting percentage with an assist, a block and five digs as PSU swept New Hampshire. She closed out the tournament vs. St. Louis by putting down 16 kills on 23 errorless attacks, also tacking on a pair of service aces, one block and five more saves. The award is the second of the season for Fawcett and the seventh of her career, tying her for fourth all-time in the Big Ten.
Last PSU POW: Nicole Fawcett (offense), Sept. 1, 2008
DEFENSE
Christine Tan, Minnesota
Jr., LIB, Safety Harbor, Fla./Palm Harbor
Tan takes home Defensive Player of the Week accolades after becoming the 14th player in Minnesota history to eclipse the 1,000 career digs mark. The junior reached the milestone in the third set of the Gophers’ sweep over Winthrop in which she tallied 22 saves. On the weekend, Tan averaged 6.5 digs per set and converted on 61 of 62 service reception opportunities. In the closing match of the Gopher Invitational, Tan racked up 39 digs, which is the highest single-match total in the Big Ten so far this season and the fourth-highest total in Minnesota program history. The libero also contributed eight assists and two service aces on the weekend while holding opponents to a .132 combined hitting average. The honor is the second of the season for Tan and the fourth of her career.
Last MINN POW: Lauren Gibbemeyer (offense), Sept. 15, 2008
