Sept. 28, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Kentucky senior libero BriAnne Sauer was named the Southeastern Conference’s Defensive Player of the Week after averaging 6.00 digs per set in UK’s two wins this weekend.

Sauer becomes Kentucky’s first defensive player to win a weekly honor this season. The senior from Louisville tallied 36 digs on the weekend, including a 20-scoop performance against Arkansas.

The 20 digs in a three-set match is the second most in the SEC this season for just three frames of action. Sauer’s numbers for the weekend are even more impressive as UK won by an average of 6.5 points per stanza.

For the season Sauer averages 3.88 digs per set, so she increased her average by more than two digs in helping Kentucky to a pair of sweeps. Sauer has posted 16 or more digs in all three of Kentucky’s conference victories this season. She ranks second in league matches with 5.78 for the nine sets UK has played.

The award marks the first conference weekly honor for the senior’s career. She is the second player to be honored by the conference this season as fellow senior Sarah Rumely was tabbed the SEC’s Offensive Player of the Week two weeks ago.

Sauer and the Wildcats hit the road again Friday with a date with No. 5 Florida in Gainesville. Match time is set for 7 p.m. on Oct. 2. UK will also travel to South Carolina on Sunday, Oct. 4 for a 1:30 p.m. match in Columbia, S.C.

Stay tuned to UKathletics.com for the most up-to-date news, highlights and features from the Kentucky volleyball team.