Sears & Benz named Volleyball Players of the Week

Nov. 17, 2008

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INDIANAPOLIS -- Valparaiso University senior Allison Sears and Cleveland State University sophomore Amy Benz have been named Horizon League Volleyball Players of the Week for the period of Nov. 10-16.

A native of Elkhart, Ind., Sears picks up Offensive Player of the Week accolades after helping Valparaiso to a sweep of Wright State (25-19, 25-19, 25-16) on Saturday.

Sears led the Horizon League in hitting percentage (.478) and points per set (4.67) last week while ranking second in kills per set (4.33). The middle hitter recorded 13 smackdowns and just two errors in 23 attempts against the Raiders.

For the season, Sears places third in the conference with 3.26 kills per set (336 kills, 103 sets) and eighth with a .258 hitting percentage (336 kills, 136 errors, 774 attempts).

The Crusaders, 23-6 overall and 12-4 in league play, have now won 12 straight matches and 16 of their last 17.

A native of Tiffin, Ohio, Benz notches Defensive Player of the Week honors after helping Cleveland State to a four-set win over Youngstown State (22-25, 25-20, 25-14, 25-22) on Friday.

Benz paced the Horizon League in blocks per set (2.00) last week. The middle hitter denied eight attacks against the Penguins.

For the season, Benz ranks second among sophomores in the conference and third overall with 1.02 blocks per set (103 blocks, 101 sets).

The Vikings, 8-18 overall and 7-9 in league play, have won four of their last six matches.

Both teams are idle until the Horizon League Championship quarterfinals on Friday. Valparaiso is the tournament's No. 2 seed and will battle No. 7 Green Bay at 5 p.m. ET. Cleveland State is the tourney's No. 6 seed and will face off with No. 3 Wright State at 7:30 p.m.