September 26, 2005
Ellerbusch earns NATIONAL HONORS,
First player in USI volleyball history to earn honor
EVANSVILLE, Ind.—For the first time in the University of Southern Indiana volleyball team's history, the Screaming Eagles have had a player selected as the Sports Imports/AVCA National Player of the Week for the NCAA Division II.
Senior middle blocker Laura Ellerbusch (Newburgh, Indiana) earned the honor as well as GLVC Player of the Week honors for her part in leading the Eagles to three victories, including an upset of No. 5 University of North Alabama, last week.
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Laura Ellerbusch |
It is the fourth time in Ellerbusch's career that she has been named GLVC Player of the Week and the first time this season that a USI volleyball player has earned the honor.
Ellerbusch averaged 4.0 kills and hit .506 in three matches as the Eagles improved to 10-7 on the season.
Against North Alabama, Ellerbusch hammered down 19 kills and attacked at a clip of .429 to help the Eagles extend their home winning streak to 18. In the fourth game alone, Ellerbusch had six kills in seven attempts for a .857 attacking percentage as the Eagles won the fourth frame 33-31 and pushed the match to a decisive fifth game.
After recording 10 kills and a .529 attacking percentage Friday night, helping the Eagles to an easy 3-0 victory over Kentucky Wesleyan College, Ellerbusch came back Saturday to record a match-high 19 kills and .593 attacking percentage in a 3-1 victory over Tiffin University. She recorded seven of those kills and a .667 attacking percentage in the first game, helping the Eagles shake off a slow start and extend their home winning streak to 19.
USI (10-7, 2-1 GLVC) takes on Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Edwardsville, Illinois. The Eagles return home Friday at 7 p.m. to take on No. 20 Rockhurst University. They finish the weekend slate Saturday at 2 p.m. against Drury University at the Physical Activities Center.
Dan McDonnell,
USI Sports Information Director
