PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Oct. 17, 2005) ? Helping lead the USF volleyball team to two-straight wins, freshman setter Kate Verhoff was honored as the BIG EAST Rookie of the Week, as announced by the league office today for the week ending Oct. 16, marking the first-ever conference award received by a volleyball player during the 2005 campaign.

Verhoff helped the Bulls to post a record of 2-1 on the week, while leading USF to its first-ever BIG EAST win with a sweep of Georgetown on Saturday.

“Kate did a great job running the floor, being our quarterback and understanding what she needed to do to win those matches,” coach Claire Lessinger said. “It also helped that we had great passing performances from everyone as well as offensive nights from everyone. So that's when being a setter is really fun because you have lost of options and she did a really good job of leading the floor naturally, which is something that she does great”

The Elyria, Ohio, native continued her stellar freshman campaign being an all-around threat for the Bulls, setting up players, scoring and contributing on defense. As the starting setter, she assisted on 136 points. The freshman also scored when needed, as she had a team-high hitting percentage of .542, converting 24 attacks into 13 kills while committing no errors. Verhoff also put together a strong defensive effort, finishing second on the team in total blocks, tallying 12.

Verhoff finished the match against Georgetown tied for first in total blocks (3) while hitting a blistering .800. In USF's other win of the week against Jacksonville on Sunday, she was the only player to net a double-double in a 60-assist, 15-dig effort. Her digs and assists against the Dolphins were new career highs for the freshman.

Sophomore Kristina Fabris was named to the BIG EAST Honor Roll for the week ending Oct. 16, as announced by the conference office today.

“It was just another solid outing for Kristina,” Lessinger said. “I think with having other players step up this week and with us being more consistent in every aspect of the game just allowed Kristina to shine even more.”

The Ontario, Canada, native was the Bulls' offensive and defensive leader, pacing the team in kills (47), points (59.0) and total blocks (17). She led the team or was tied for the lead in kills and blocks in all three of USF's matches this past week.

The sophomore rattled off a double-double against Florida A&M on Tuesday, Oct. 11, in a 16-kill, 12-dig outing. She continued to net double-digit-kills in the Bulls other two matches this past weekend, bringing her 10-plus-kill match total to 33 in her two-year career at USF.

The Bulls will look to extend their two-match win streak when they hit the road to face BIG EAST foes Notre Dame on Friday at 5 p.m. and DePaul on Sunday at 3 p.m.




BIG EAST Honors for the week ending Oct. 16
Player of the Week:
Lena Ustymenko, Louisville

Rookie of the Week:
Kate Verhoff, USF

Honor roll:
Jessie Nevitt, Cincinnati
Ashley Tarutis, Notre Dame
Lora Yankauskas, Rutgers
Kristina Fabris, USF
Diana Andreyko, Pittsburgh