Sept. 6, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Freshman outside hitter Deja McClendon (Louisville, Ky.) was named Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Week, conference officials announced Monday. It is McClendon's first career honor. She shares this week's honor with Illinois libero Jennifer Bonilla.
McClendon helped guide the Nittany Lions to sweeps of Seton Hall, Colgate and VCU this past weekend in the Hampton Inn Classic. In her Rec Hall debut, McClendon started in all three matches and led the team with 37 kills, averaging 4.11 kills per set on .464 hitting for the weekend. She also contributed one ace, 16 digs (1.78 digs per set) and six total blocks (0.67 blocks per set). Against Seton Hall, McClendon led all players with 14 kills and was second on the team with seven digs. On Saturday versus the Raiders, she was the only player with double-digit kills with 10 and tied for second on the team with four blocks. She once again led the team in kills against VCU with 13 and registered a .524 attack percentage. McClendon was named to the Hampton Inn Classic All-Tournament Team for her efforts.
Other Big Ten honorees in addition to McClendon and Bonilla include, Jessica Granquist of Minnesota as Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week and outside hitter Michelle Bartsch of Illinois as the conference Player of the Week.
Penn State (6-0) is back on the road on Sept. 10-11 for the Nike Big Four Volleyball Classic in Gainesville, Fla. hosted by the University of Florida. The Nittany Lions open the tournament against No. 4 Florida on Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m. and take on either No. 5 Texas or No. 2 Stanford of Saturday, Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m.. All matches will be played at Florida's Stephen C. O'Connell Center.
For more information on the Penn State women's volleyball team, please visit GoPSUsports.com. The Penn State women's volleyball 2010 season is presented by Rockvale Outlets and The Outlets at Hershey.