Kentucky middle blocker Lauren Rapp has been named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week. This is the first honor for Rapp and the second straight week that a Wildcat has earned a weekly honor from the conference office. Senior Nicole Britenriker earned Offensive Player of the Week accolades last week.

Rapp helped the Wildcats to a 3-1 record this week and a runner-up finish at the Regency Suites/Georgia Tech Classic in Atlanta. The 6-3 rookie had at least one ace in each of the Cats? four matches ? two vs. Eastern Kentucky, two vs. Arizona, three vs. Western Carolina and one vs. Georgia Tech.

Rapp had an outstanding week for the Wildcats, recording 31 kills on .254 hitting with eight service aces and 16 total blocks during the four-game span. Rapp started with eight kills on .278 hitting and was second on the team with five total blocks in the sweep of Eastern Kentucky. Rapp had one of her best matches of the season in the sweep of Western Carolina, finishing with nine kills on .316 hitting to go along with a career-best three service aces. She also had three assists against the Catamounts, one shy of her personal best. In the five-game thriller with Georgia Tech, Rapp was a key part of the Cats? win, recording a season-high 10 kills on .353 hitting. She also came up big at the net, notching five block assists. Rapp added another ace and had three digs in the victory.

Rapp now leads the team with 19 service aces for an average of 0.50 per game and is fourth with 2.24 kills per game. She?s third on the team behind two of the SEC?s top middle blockers with 1.34 blocks per game.

Rapp and the Cats return to action this Friday, Sept. 14, when they open SEC play against Mississippi State. Opening tip is set for 7 p.m. at Memorial Coliseum.