Rice University Athletics
Schamun Named National Player of the Week by CVU.com
11/24/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 24, 2009
The Collegiate Volleyball Update (CVU.com) is pleased to announce that Rice junior Meredith Schamun has been selected as the CVU.com National Player of the Week for Nov. 16 through Nov. 22.
A 5-11 setter from Murrieta, Calif., Schamun earned MVP honors after leading Rice to a trio of victories and its first Conference USA tournament title.
In the Owls' first match on the week, Schamun tossed out 34 assists as she guided Rice to a sweep of Marshall with the Owls hitting .289.
The next match proved to be a big upset, with Rice knocking off No.1 seed Southern Mississippi. In addition to 42 assists, Schamun added four kills, nine digs and four blocks in the 3-1 victory.
Finally, the championship was another upset for the Owls. After taking the first set, Rice was down 19-9 in the second before orchestrating a comeback for a 25-23 win. The Owls would go on to claim the title in four sets with Schamun dishing 49 assists to go with 13 digs, three blocks and three kills.
For the tournament, the junior averaged 11.36 assists and 2.64 digs per set. She also added a total of nine kills and eight blocks.
This will be the first time Rice (22-8) has made back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances after securing an at-large bid last season. The MVP honor adds to Schamun's impressive resume as she has earned league weekly honors three times this season and was named co-setter of the year. Last season she was one of CVU's Top Five setters.
In addition to the Player of the Week, CVU.com will be announcing selections for the Top Performers from the past week. These selections will include the Player of the Week and up to 10 others. Choices will consist of players who were finalists for the weekly honor and others who had exceptional individual matches. The additional selections will be based on nominations and CVU.com staff criteria.
Top Performers
Kayla Banwarth, Nebraska, Junior, Libero, 5-10
Kendall Bateman, USC, Sophomore, Setter, 5-11
Kanani Danielson, Hawaii, Sophomore, Outside hitter, 5-10
Lindsay Fletemier, Dayton, Junior, Middle blocker, 6-6
Lauren Harkins, Jacksonville State, Sophomore, Defensive specialist, 5-7
Destinee Hooker, Texas, Senior, Outside hitter, 6-4
Gosia Lech, Louisville, Sophomore, Setter, 6-1
Ariana Mankus, Army, Freshman, Outside hitter, 5-8v Ashley Mead, Middle Tennessee State, Senior, Outside hitter, 5-9
Meredith Schamun, Rice, Junior, Setter, 5-11
Jamie Schwartz, IPFW, Senior, Libero, 5-7
