Oct. 14, 2008

Center Valley, Pa.- American's Rubena Sukaj is the Patriot League/Baden Player of the Week for the fourth time this season, giving her a new Patriot League high of 12 weekly honors. Patriot League/Baden Rookie of the Week Rebecca Heath earned the weekly distinction for the fifth consecutive time this week, tying her for most Rookie of the Week honors and most consecutive Rookie of the Week honors in Patriot League history.

Patriot League Volleyball Release 10.14.08

Baden Player of the Week (Oct. 6-Oct.12)

Rubena Sukaj, American

Sr., OH, 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. 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.

Baden Rookie of the Week (Oct. 6-Oct.12)

Rebecca Heath, American

Fr., OH, 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. 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.

Honorable Mention

Jamie Clark, Army
Sr., MB, Pueblo, Colo.
Had season-high seven blocks and .611 hitting percentage in win over NJIT.

Heidi Kamp, Bucknell
So., MB, Springfield, Ore.
Had 2.83 kps, .275 hitting percentage, three aces, four digs in two games last week.

Jessie Sims, Navy
Sr., OH, Etowah, N.C.
First Patriot League player to record 20 or more kills in a match against American since she posted 24 in 2007.

Patriot League Notebook

Patriot League Recap

After three weeks of Patriot League play, both Army and American boast perfect League records. Army is still 4-0 after playing no League games last week, while American is 5-0 after beating Navy. Bucknell defeated Colgate 3-0 last week, while Holy Cross is still 0-4 in the Patriot League after an idle week. Archrivals Lafayette and Lehigh duked it out for five sets on Friday, with Lehigh getting the victory by winning 3-2.

Patriot League Preview

Patriot League volleyball teams have a big week, as all eight squads will seek to improve their League records. American will hit the road to play Bucknell and Colgate on Friday and Saturday, respectively, putting its perfect 5-0 Patriot League record on the line. Army hosts Holy Cross Tuesday night before taking on Lehigh and Lafayette. Bucknell and Colgate will both host Navy and American this weekend. Holy Cross plays three Patriot League games this week, traveling to West Point for a matchup with Army before hosting Lafayette and Lehigh. Lafayette and Lehigh will switch off playing Holy Cross and Army, while Navy travels to Colgate and Bucknell this weekend.

2008 Patriot League Tournament

The 2008 Patriot League Volleyball Championship will take place Friday-Saturday, Nov. 21-22 at the site of the highest seed as determined by regular-season standings with the top four teams qualifying for the tournament. Two semifinal matches will take place on Friday, Nov. 21 with the No. 1 seed facing the No. 4 seed and the No. 2 seed facing the No. 3 seed. The championship match will be played on Saturday, Nov. 22 with the winner earning the Patriot League's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Team Notebooks

American American went 2-0 last week, beating both Navy and NJIT 3-2 at home behind the powerful play of senior Rubena Sukaj and freshman Rebecca Heath. The Eagles will play three matches this week, against Maryland-Eastern and two Patriot League foes, Bucknell and Colgate.

Army The Black Knights improved to 16-2 on the season with a 3-0, non-League road win against NJIT last Wednesday. Army will put its 4-0 Patriot League record to the test in its next matches against Holy Cross, Lehigh and Lafayette.

Bucknell Bucknell defeated Colgate 3-0 last week before heading out west, where the Bison lost 3-0 to Cal State Fullerton and 3-0 to Cal State Bakersfield. The Bison welcome Patriot League foes American and Navy to Lewisburg this weekend.

Colgate Colgate's Megan Fanta averaged 7 assists per set, 3 digs and a perfect 1.000 hitting percentage in the Raiders' 3-0 loss to Bucknell last week. The Raiders will play three matches this week, starting with Cornell on Tuesday night.

Holy Cross The Crusaders are 0-4 in Patriot League play and 1-15 overall on the season, after not playing any matches last week. Holy Cross welcomes Army to Worcester for a Patriot League matchup on Tuesday night.

Lafayette Senior Megan Carter moved into first place on Lafayette's career assist list and tenth all-time in the Patriot League when she made her 3,157th assist in a 3-2 loss to Lehigh. The Leopards will host NJIT on Tuesday night before facing Patriot League road games at Holy Cross and at Army.

Lehigh Freshman Angelika Kopacz had consecutive double-doubles last week in a loss to NJIT and win over archrival Lafayette. The Mountain Hawks will face Army and Holy Cross this weekend in Patriot League action.

Navy Krista Eschelman posted .692 hitting percentage against American in Navy's 3-2 loss, the highest hitting percentage by a Navy player in a five-set match in school history. The Mids will hit the road this weekend to face Colgate and Bucknell in Patriot League play.