Monday, October 20, 2008

Crusader senior middle hitter Allison Sears (Elkhart, Ind./Memorial) has been named the Horizon League’s Offensive Player of the Week after her dominating performance against Butler on Friday.

Sears posted a season-best 19 kills in the victory against the Bulldogs, matching the second-highest total in a single match in her career, while hitting at a .500 clip.  She also contributed two service aces and five blocks, including three of the solo variety, in the four-set win.  This is the second time in her career that the senior has earned Offensive Player of the Week accolades from the Horizon League.

On the year, Sears has helped Valpo gain the top spot nationally in kills/set, averaging 3.03 kills/frame, good for second on the team and fifth in the league.  Over the last seven matches, a stretch in which Valpo has gone 6-1, she has stepped up to 3.27 kills/set while swinging at a .250 clip and adding 1.15 blocks/set.  Sears and the Crusaders will look to continue their hot streak on Tuesday when Valpo hosts IUPUI at the ARC at 7 p.m.