LEXINGTON, Ky. ? Freshman Kentucky outside hitter Sarah Mendoza (Winter Park, Fla.) has been named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week for her stellar weekend performances in UK?s wins against Auburn and Georgia, the league office in Birmingham, Ala., announced Monday.

Mendoza averaged 3.50 kills per game on .375 hitting for the weekend matches. She recorded a career-high 16 kills on a personal-best .481 hitting Friday night against Auburn. She followed up that performance with 12 kills against Georgia on Sunday. Mendoza, who has recorded double-digit kills in three consecutive matches, notched her fifth and sixth double-digit kill performances of the season this weekend.

Mendoza, who was the team?s second-leading offensive performer in this weekend?s matches, has started each of the last five contests for the Wildcats, who have gone 4-1 during that stretch.

On the season, Mendoza is averaging 2.20 kills per game with 12 starts.

Mendoza and the Wildcats return to action on Friday when they travel to Baton Rouge, La., to square off with LSU at 8 p.m. EDT. The Cats (19-6, 10-4 SEC) look to record their first 20-win season since 1993 with a win against the Tigers this weekend.