Sept. 22, 2003

cBethlehem, PA- Sophomore middle blocker Rebecca Gawronski has been named the Patriot League Baden Player of the Week for the first time in her career after being named the Tournament MVP at the 6th Annual Lehigh Mountain Hawk Classic. Gawronski averaged 2.5 kills and 1.9 blocks per game to help Lehigh go 3-0 on the weekend. In a 3-1 win over Providence, Gawronski ripped 12 kills with only one error en route to a .458 hitting percentage. She also tallied six total blocks against the Friars. In a 3-1 victory over Niagara Saturday, Gawronski recorded a season-best 11 total blocks.

Coach Patrick Nicholas was happy to see Gawronski's recent efforts rewarded. "She has really stepped up since the Cleveland State Invitational, and we've been working a lot on blocking," said Nicholas. "Middle blocker is really one of the hardest positions on the court - she really has to be on her toes. But it's obvious that her work in practice is paying off in the games."

In a great weekend overall for the Mountain Hawks, senior Katie Dukatz and freshman Allison Jack were also named to the All-tournament team as the squad went 3-0 to take first place. In winning the tournament, head coach Patrick Nicholas also became the all-time coaching wins leader in Lehigh volleyball history.

Lehigh is now 7-1 in its last 8 matches, and the Mountain Hawks head to Washington DC to take on American on Thursday as they open Patriot League play. Game time is set for 7:00, and the match can be heard live on Lehigh's website, and locally in the Lehigh Valley on 91.3 FM, WLVR.