Becky Weber's selection as Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week was likely as much work for Valley volleyball media relations official John Sanders as it was for the senior setter from Illinois State.
"It is by far the hardest player of the week selection I've had to make," said Sanders. "We had so many outstanding efforts by so many players ... it's great for our conference, but it was tough for me."
Other Valley volleyball athletes had big weekends as the conference compiled a 19-12 record against non-conference opponents. Northern Iowa's Molly O'Brien (2.50 block average) and Southwest Missouri State's Rese McNatt (two double doubles) were most valuable players while leading their teams to tournament championships.
Evansville's Samantha Butler collected 37 digs in a single match--third best in Valley history--and averaged 6.17 dig average on the weekend. Indiana State freshman Kristin Widmar was the MVP of the Active Ankle Invitational.
But Weber's stats stood out. Her triple-double against UMKC (14 kills, 17 digs, 36 set assists) was part of three-match totals which included 22 kills, 125 set assists, 49 digs and six service aces. She led the Redbirds to second place in the Barker GMC Classic behind No. 26 Louisville.
And all those numbers made Sanders' job harder.
"We had three tourney MVP's and numerous all-tourney selections," said Sanders. "All-in-all, it was a great weekend for our league and that make's Becky's selection all the more impressive."
Despite impressive credentials throughout her career, Weber's player of the week selection is her first. She leads Illinois State against some more top competition this weekend at the Best Western Sycamore Inn Classic at Oxford, Ohio, which includes Miami of Ohio, South Carolina and Purdue--all teams the Redbirds have previously met in NCAA Tournament play.
-- 30 --Illinois State's Valley
Players of the Week
Date Player
9/4/01 Becky Weber
9/4/00 Kendra Haselhorst
9/11/00 Kendra Haselhorst
10/2/00 Jackie Utz
11/12/00 Abby Lewis
10/4/99 Kendra Haselhorst
10/26/98 Michelle Kutcher
9/28/98 Marisa Brickley
9/14/98 Jenny Kabbes
9/8/98 Michelle Kutcher
9/22/97 Kendra Haselhorst
9/15/97 Michelle Kutcher
11/12/96 Patti Hoppa
10/26/96 Andi Hardwick
10/22/96 Patti Hoppa
10/8/96 Marisa Brickley
9/9/96 Andi Hardwick
10/10/95 Andi Hardwick
10/3/95 Andi Hardwick
9/18/94 Kristin Kueltzo
10/9/93 Keely Zimmerman
9/13/93 Michelle Rucker
11/16/92 Jeanette Newberry
10/27/92 Carla McQueen
10/5/92 Michelle Rucker
