Cusack Named SEC Defensive Player of the Week
Monday, November 30, 2009 | Volleyball
Senior Florida libero Elyse Cusack (Melrose, Fla.) has been named the Southeastern Conference's Defensive Player of the Week for the second consecutive week, recognizing her stellar play in a pair of wins against South Carolina and No. 25 Notre Dame, the league offices in Birmingham, Ala., announced Monday.
Cusack earns the honor for a league-leading 13th time in her career and four the fourth time this season. Cusack is the only player in SEC history to garner the honor four times in a single season and she has done so in back-to-back seasons.
A Florida player has been named the SEC's Defensive Player of the Week 23 times since the award was introduced during the 2003 season and the Gators have earned more Defensive Player of the Week honors than any other league team since that time.
This past weekend, Cusack averaged a squad-best 5.29 digs per set, including a match-high 23 scoops in a win against top-25 foe Notre Dame on Saturday. She passed for a perfect 1.000 reception percentage in 12 attempts against South Carolina, helping stabilize the back line as the Gators hit a season-high .519, marking the team's highest hitting efficiency since Sept. 5, 2008. Cusack also averaged 1.86 assists per set over the course of the weekend in the secondary setter role.
Cusack increased her career digs total to 2,092 career scoops and needs 35 more to become the SEC's all-time career digs leader.
Cusack and the Gators return to action on Thursday when they play host to the College of Charleston in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. First serve in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET and the match will be carried live on GatorVision Online/WRUF-AM 850 with Tom Collett and Missy Whittemore.
For all of the latest information on Florida Volleyball, please log on to www.GatorZone.com/volleyball. Follow the Gators on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GatorZoneVB and Coach Mary Wise on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GatorMary.
The University of Florida is home to the 2009 NCAA Volleyball Regional. For ticket information, log on to www.GatorZone.com/tickets.
SEC VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK (WEEK 14)
SEC Offensive Player of the Week: Kayla Jeter, Tennessee
SEC Defensive Player of the Week: Elyse Cusack, Florida
SEC Freshman of the Week: Whitney Craven, Ole Miss
END OF REPORT
