Michigan State University Athletics
Vanessa King Named Big Ten Defensive Player Of The Week
11/13/2006 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 13, 2006
PARK RIDGE, Ill. - Spartan volleyball freshman middle blockerVanessa King has been named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week as announced by the conference office on Monday. The award is the first such honor of her career, and marks the first-ever MSU Defensive Player of the Week. The last Spartan to receive a weekly conference honor was Ashley Schatzle, who was named Big Ten Player of the Week on Oct. 16.
"I think Vanessa (King) has been steadily improving throughout the season," Spartan head coach Cathy George said. "She is a phenomenal blocker, and we anticipate her setting many records throughout her Spartan career."
King posted her top defensive match of the season, recording four block solos and six block assists for a career-high 10 blocks, in the Spartans' upset of No. 16 Purdue on Saturday. She contributed 15 kills on 30 attempts at a .400 clip against the Boilermakers, and added six kills and two block assists in the MSU victory versus Indiana. The win against Purdue marked Michigan State's first win over a ranked opponent since the 2004 season (Oct. 29, No. 21 Illinois). King currently ranks ninth in the Big Ten with a .326 attack percentage, adding averages of 2.30 kills per game and 0.94 blocks per game for the Green and White.
The Spartans begin a three-match homestand when No. 3 Penn State visits Jenison Field House on Friday at 7 p.m. MSU concludes weekend play against No. 23 Ohio State on Saturday at 7 p.m.
