Monday, January 19, 2009

Valparaiso University’s Launa Hochstetler (Berlin, Ohio/Hiland H.S.) has been named the Horizon League’s Player of the Week following a pair of strong performances last weekend in the Crusaders’ victories over UIC and Loyola (Chicago).

Hochstetler averaged 21 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.5 steals per game last week for the Brown and Gold as Valpo climbed into third place in the conference standings.  She shot 57.1% from the floor, including 3-of-6 from three-point range, and was 7-of-8 from the free throw line on the week.

The senior guard opened the week by tying a career-high with 24 points in the Crusaders’ 66-64 win over UIC on Thursday.  She made 9-of-16 shots from the floor and grabbed four rebounds as well.  Saturday in the 69-52 win against Loyola, Hochstetler scored a game-high 18 points and had six assists, becoming just the sixth Valpo player to reach the 300-assist mark for a career.  She now has 303 all-time helpers.

Hochstetler is the second Crusader this season to earn Horizon League Player of the Week honors, as Agnieszka Kulaga (Tarnow, Poland/I Liceum Ogolnoksztalcace H.S.) also earned the accolade back on December 1.

Valparaiso (9-7, 4-2 Horizon) will begin a three-game road trip this Friday evening heading to Indianapolis to battle instate rival Butler.  Tip-off against the Bulldogs is set for 6 p.m. CST with all the action shown live on the Horizon League Network.  It can also be heard live on WVUR (95.1-FM, Valparaiso).