Oct. 19, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Kentucky freshman defensive specialist Stephanie Klefot was honored as the Southeastern Conference’s Freshman Player of the Week it was announced Monday.
Klefot’s play in the back row enabled the Wildcats (19-1, 9-0) to notch a pair of SEC road sweeps at Mississippi State and Alabama this weekend. The Louisville native charted 17 digs in the win over Mississippi State to lead the team from the back row.
For the weekend Klefot tallied 23 scoops for an average of 3.83 digs a set – a full dig above her average. Klefot attempted 28 receptions without an error while only playing during three rotations. Klefot also tallied a pair of aces in the win at Alabama and was a serving threat all match for the eight-ranked Wildcats.
Klefot has been a mainstay in UK’s lineup since the start of the season. The freshman averages 2.81 digs per set and has recorded the second-most digs on the team for the season with 188. She has also notched 17 service aces on the year.
The honor from the league office is the first of Klefot’s career. This marks the fourth consecutive week a UK player has earned a weekly honor from the conference office. Previously, sophomore Gretchen Giesler and senior BriAnne Sauer were named the Defensive Players of the Week and junior outside hitter Sarah Mendoza was the Offensive Player of the Week. Earlier this season senior setter Sarah Rumely claimed Offensive Player of the Week honors.
With this week’s honor Klefot becomes the fifth current Wildcat to earn an SEC Freshman of the Week honor. Kentucky has had five players win nine freshman honors since 2006. Rumely, Mendoza, Lauren Rapp and Becky Pavan were the other award winners in their first seasons.
Klefot and the Wildcats will host two SEC matches at Memorial Coliseum this week. Up first is a home match with Tennessee on Wednesday night. The match will air live on ESPNU at 7:04 p.m. ET.
Wednesday’s match against Tennessee also marks one of the final opportunities for students to receive a wristband to the student only men’s basketball practice on Friday. The first 2,000 fans at the UK vs. Tennessee volleyball match will receive a wristband and access to the basketball practice on Friday at 1:30 p.m. ET.
Stay tuned to UKathletics.com for the most up-to-date news, highlights and features from the Kentucky volleyball team.
