Oct. 3, 2011
BIRMINGHAM Ala. – Sophomore Whitney Billings has been named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week following an all-around defensive performance in two road victories this weekend.
Billings becomes the first player this season to earn SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors who is not a primary defensive player. All of the other winners this season play either libero/defensive specialist or middle blocker.
The sophomore from Helena, Ala., charted 3.29 digs per set and chipped in with 1.14 blocks per stanza in helping the Wildcats to a 5-1 start in league play. Both totals ranked second on the team in that category.
Billings posted a season-high 15 digs in the four-set win at Arkansas. It marked the 20th time in her career she has notched 10 or more digs and the ninth time this season. Her dig total was a match-high and led all defensive players.
She followed that performance with a season-high six blocks in the win at LSU. She had totaled five or more blocks just one other time in her career. The six rejections led all players in the match.
This marks the first defensive player of the week honor for UK’s sophomore, and the second weekly SEC award in her career. She was named SEC Freshman of the Week once last season.
Kentucky has now captured four weekly honors this season. Freshman Jackie Napper earned SEC Freshman of the Week accolades, and junior libero Stephanie Klefot has twice earned Defensive Player of the Week honors.
The Wildcats (14-3, 5-1 SEC) return home for a three match home stand. UK first takes on Ole Miss at 7 p.m. ET Friday.
Kentucky’s Memorial Coliseum will play host to the NCAA Regionals Dec. 9-10. UK is one of four sites selected for Sweet 16 and Elite Eight matchups with one team advancing to the Final Four in San Antonio, Texas, from the Lexington Region.
Opening night matches are scheduled for 5 and 7 p.m. ET. Saturday’s finals is set for a 4:30 p.m. ET first serve.
Tickets are now on sale through the UK Ticket Office. All-Session Tickets are reserved for all ages at $14. General Admission tickets for adults are priced at $12 and students or seniors’ general admission is slated for $8.
Single session tickets are priced at $8 for reserved for all ages. General admission for adults is priced at $7, with students and seniors priced at $5. Youth single session tickets are $4.
For tickets or more information feel free to call, 1-800-928-CATS.
Visit UKathletics.com for the most up-to-date information on the UK volleyball team and all of Kentucky’s 22 teams.
