Sept. 22, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Sophomore Sarah Mendoza has been named the Southeastern Conference Offensive Volleyball Player of the Week, as announced by the league office Monday.

Mendoza had an incredible weekend for the Wildcats leading them to two victories of 3-0 scores to open up SEC play. The sophomore from Winter Park, Fla., averaged a team-high 4.50 kills per set while leading the team with an average of 4.83 points per frame. She also chipped in with 3.17 digs per stanza, second best on the team.

Friday night, Mendoza led the UK offensive effort with 13 kills. She added a career-high 14 digs to go along with her well-rounded match, which included a block and an assist. Sunday against Mississippi State, Mendoza put down a team-best 14 kills on a blistering .423 hitting percentage. She added a pair of blocks and five digs in UK’s win.

The Wildcats swept Alabama and Mississippi State to open SEC action with sweeps for the first time since 1989. UK has also put together a string of eight straight wins, the most consecutive victories since eight-straight in 1993. Against Mississippi State, Mendoza led eight different players to record a kill and the team hit at a .405 clip–the highest of the season.

This is the second conference honor for Mendoza in her career. As a freshman, Mendoza was selected as SEC Freshman of the Week after averaging 3.50 kills per set on .375 hitting and recording a then-career high 16 kills against Auburn.

Kentucky returns to action Friday, when they visit Georgia in Athens. Match time is set for a 7 p.m. start.

Follow along with the Cats on UKathletics.com all season long for the most up to date information, stats and releases.