Sept. 25, 2006
COLUMBIA, Mo.--The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) named Missouri senior OH Jessica Vander Kooi as its SportsImports/AVCA National Player of the Week it announced Monday evening. After winning the Big 12 Player of the Week honor earlier today for the second time this month, Vander Kooi, a native of Hinton, Iowa, becomes just the third Tiger to win the national weekly award.
Vander Kooi led then-No. 22 Missouri to a 2-0 record last week, including the sweep of then-No. 5 Texas -- the Tigers' first victory over a top-five ranked opponent.
At Kansas State on Wednesday, Vander Kooi scored 27 kills on 55 attempts (.327) and added 19 digs to the MU effort. The Hinton, Iowa native tallied the most kills for a Tiger in a four-game match since 2002, and the fifth 20-kill match this season.
Vander Kooi scored 19 points; recording 13 kills, five blocks and three service aces against Texas on Saturday. After rolling her ankle in game one, Vander Kooi committed only one hitting error in 32 attacks to record a .375 hitting percentage. In addition, Vander Kooi fielded 17 serve receptions without an error.
On the week, Vander Kooi averaged 6.86 points, 5.71 kills while compiling a .345 hitting percentage. She also posted 3.86 digs and 1.00 blocks in seven games.
In Big 12 matches, Vander Kooi currently ranks second in the conference in points per game (5.74), third in kills per game (4.65), and fifth in aces per game (0.47).
The last Tiger to earn the AVCA National Player of the Week award was Nicole Wilson last year. Ironically, Vander Kooi's honor came on the same week in the year as Wilson's occurred last season.
The No. 17 Tigers will take on Baylor in the Hearnes Center starting at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday. On Saturday, the Mizzou squad will travel to take on Texas Tech.
MISSOURI'S AVCA NATIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Sept. 30, 2002: Mary Lauren Smith
Sept. 26, 2005: Nicole Wilson
Sept. 25, 2006: Jessica Vander Kooi
