Bukowski & Daprile named Volleyball Players of the Week

Nov. 3, 2008

INDIANAPOLIS -- Valparaiso University junior Kim Bukowski and Butler University sophomore Katie Daprile have been named Horizon League Volleyball Players of the Week for the period of Oct. 27-Nov. 2.

A native of Waukesha, Wis., Bukowski picks up Offensive Player of the Week accolades after helping Valparaiso to three-set victories over Youngstown State (25-18, 25-20, 25-17) on Friday and Cleveland State (25-23, 25-22, 25-23) on Saturday.

Bukowski ranked second in the Horizon League with 12.67 assists per set last week. The setter dished out 42 helpers against the Penguins and 34 more vs. the Vikings.

Bukowski, who went over 2,000 career assists on Saturday, has directed Valparaiso's offense to a No. 1 national ranking for both kills per set (15.19) and assists per set (14.12) this season.

The Crusaders, 18-6 overall and 9-4 in league play, have now won 11 of their last 12 matches.

A native of Bargersville, Ind., Daprile notches Defensive Player of the Week honors after pacing the Horizon League with 6.75 digs per set last week. The defensive specialist registered 18 digs against Cleveland State on Friday before collecting 36 more vs. Youngstown State on Saturday.

Daprile's 36 digs represent a new career high and the fifth-best total in school history.

Butler dropped a 3-0 decision to the Vikings (25-21, 25-22, 25-22) on Friday, but rebounded to post a 3-2 win over the Penguins (25-22, 26-24, 17-25, 22-25, 15-9) on Saturday.

The Bulldogs, 18-7 overall and 8-5 in league play, have now won seven of their last 11 matches.

Valparaiso returns to the court on Tuesday with an 8 p.m. (ET) match at DePaul. Butler gets back to the hardwood on Friday with an 8 p.m. contest at UIC.