Oct. 13, 2008

Center Valley, Pa.- American senior Rubena Sukaj has been awarded Patriot League Baden Volleyball Player of the Week honors for the fourth time this season, while American freshman Rebecca Heath earned Patriot League Baden Rookie of the Week honors for the fifth consecutive week.

Sukaj's fourth weekly honor gives her 12 in her career, a new Patriot League high. The senior is one Baden Player of the Week award shy of tying her 2007 record of most weekly honors in a season. Heath now has five Baden Rookie of the Week awards, tied for most all-time in the Patriot League. She also is the new Patriot League record-holder for most consecutive Baden Rookie of the Week awards with five wins in a row.

Patriot League Baden Player of the Week

Rubena Sukaj, American Sr., Tirana, Albania

Sukaj averaged a double-double in wins over Navy and NJIT over the weekend. Sukaj had 20 kills and 14 digs in the five-set, 3-2 win over the Mids, and had 13 digs and 19 kills over NJIT. Her 39 kills this weekend give her 1,887 career kills, extending her Patriot League career record. Sukaj also added five aces in the NJIT game, giving her 275 career aces and the new Patriot League mark.

Patriot League Baden Rookie of the Week

Rebecca Heath, American Fr., Naperville, Ill.

Heath averaged a double-double over the weekend as well, and had a standout-performance in the five-set win over NJIT, where she posted 19 kills and 15 digs.