Oct. 2, 2006

CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Meredith Nelson, Minnesota
Sr., MB, St. Croix Falls, Wis./St. Croix Falls

In two Minnesota wins last week over Michigan and Michigan State, Nelson averaged 6.1 digs, 4.0 kills and 0.8 blocks per game while hitting .313.  Her efforts last Sunday against MSU were highlighted by a career-high 24 kills off of .476 (24-4-42) hitting, including a personal-best three service aces.

Last MINN POW:  Kelly Bowman (10/25/04)

Christa Harmotto, Penn State
So., MH, Aliquippa, Pa./Hopewell

Harmotto aided the No. 2 Nittany Lions to a pair of important Big Ten wins, including a three-game sweep at No. 11 Purdue.  The sophomore middle hitter set a new career high with 16 kills at Indiana last Friday, with those kills coming on a team-high .542 hitting, while also ranking second on the team in blocking with two stuffs in the three-game match. The following night in the crucial matchup with the Boilermakers, Harmotto was virtually unstoppable, connecting on 13 of her 16 errorless swings to hit a career-best .812 against the 11th-ranked team in the nation, and added two blocks as well. For the week, Harmotto averaged 4.83 kills per game on an astounding .650 hitting through six games with 0.67 blocks per game.

Last PSU POW:  Megan Hodge (9/25/06)

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Lizzie Bazzetta, Illinois
So., S, Naperville, Ill./Naperville North

Bazzetta, who came into the week ranked fourth in the nation with 13.72 assists per game, elevated that average with 100 assists in seven games last weekend for a 14.24 average. She also posted her sixth double-double of her career with 59 assists and 23 digs in the four-game victory over Iowa.

Last ILL DPOW:  Beth Vrdsky (11/21/05)