Monday, October 31, 2005

Macon, Ga. – Florida Atlantic’s Kelly Paiva (Minas Gerais, Brazil/Criminal Justice) led the Owls to their second regular season title over the weekend. The Atlantic Sun conference office today announced Paiva earned A-Sun Player of the Week for the fifth time this season.

The senior outside hitter averaged 6.67 kill per game and 7.00 points per game with wins over North Florida and Jacksonville. The senior only committed 10 errors in 109 attempts and finished with a .275 hitting percentage. She also added 15 digs and four blocks for the week. After claiming the FAU record for kills in a season last week, Paiva expanded her lead in that category. She now has 544 kills for the season for 5.85 kills per game.

Paiva is the only player in A-Sun history to earn Player of the Week five times in one season and the only player to earn the honor three consecutive weeks.

The Atlantic Sun Conference announces the Player of the Week every Monday during the 2005 volleyball campaign.

The 11-member league headquartered in Macon, Ga., consists of Belmont, Campbell, ETSU, Florida Atlantic, Gardner-Webb, Jacksonville, Kennesaw State, Lipscomb, Mercer, North Florida and Stetson.

Other Top Performers

Rachel Templin, CAM (Jr. - RS/MH - Andersonville, Tenn. - Exercise Science) -- Templin blasted 38 kills in just two matches for a 5.43 kill per game average in road tilts at UNC Wilmington and Charleston Southern.

Sarah Buhr, ETSU (Jr. - OH/MB- Stockton, Calif. - Spanish/Education) -- Buhr tallied a team-best 34 kills in three matches this week, averaging 3.40 per game

Alex Scruggs, LIP (So. - MB - Chattanooga, Tenn. - Education) -- Scruggs finished the week with a .464 hitting percentage as the Lady Bisons finished 1-1 with a win over Tennessee Tech and a loss at MTSU.

Jackie Viren, MER (Sr. - OH - Prior Lake, Minn. - Engineering) -- Viren led the Bears with 31 kills, averaging 3.88 kills per game and tallied 21 digs and five blocks for the week.