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News Release

UMBC FRESHMAN SARAH BALL NAMED AMERICA EAST ROOKIE OF THE WEEK FOR RECORD SIXTH TIME

10/17/2005

Sarah Ball was named Rookie of the Week for the sixth time on Monday.

Boston, Mass.- UMBC freshman Sarah Ball (Winnipeg, Canada/Sisler) was named America East Conference Women’s Volleyball Rookie of the Week for a record sixth time this season.  Ball breaks 2004 five-time honoree Kira Bautra of Northeastern with the most rookie of the week honors in a single season according to conference records.  Ball tallied 3.42 kills per game (kpg) and 4.08 points per game (ppg) in three matches last week, leading UMBC to a 2-1 record in three road contests.

Ball opened the week at Loyola (Md.) notching 13 kills and a .367 hitting percentage. She finished with 17.5 points with three block assists and three service aces in the match.

In conference play last Friday night, Ball recorded a match-high 17 kills and 20.5 points as UMBC rallied from a 14-11 deficit in game five for a 16-14 win in their 3-2 victory over UNH. Ball tallied a season-high 67 attack attempts in the match and finished with 14 digs, three block assists and two service aces. She finished the week at Albany, with 11 kills and 15 digs for her 10th double-double of the year.

Ball has yet to play a collegiate match with out registering double-figures in kills, a span of 18 straight matches. Ball on the season is hitting .200 and ranks third in the conference charts with 3.96 kpg and second with 4.59 ppg. In conference play she is averaging 3.91 kpg, 4.39 ppg and 2.43 dpg. 

Ball has earned the conference honor in six of seven weeks this season, including the last four.  Other America East winners this week were Albany's Shelby Goldman as conference player of the week and Albany’s Blair Buchanan with her fourth setter of the week honor.

UMBC returns to action at 7 p.m. on Tuesday night at American University.