Monday, August 28, 2006

Macon, Ga. – Lipscomb's Lindsey Rutherford helped the Lady Bisons get off to their best start ever, posting a solid all-around performance in the Magic-Music City Invitational. She was named Atlantic Sun Player of the Week by the league office.

In two season-opening victories over Birmingham-Southern and Samford, Rutherford combined for 30 kills, (on .300 hitting), 29 digs , four aces, and four blocks. She was also named to the All-Tournament team. The two wins mark the first time the Lady Bisons have opened the season 2-0.

Rutherford, a senior opposite hitter, is a native of Hendersonville, Tenn. and is majoring in exercise science.

The Lady Bisons will be back in action Tuesday when they travel to face Austin Peay at 7 p.m.

The Atlantic Sun Conference announces the Player of the Week every Monday during the 2006 volleyball campaign.

The 10-member league headquartered in Macon, Ga., includes Belmont, Campbell, ETSU, Gardner-Webb, Jacksonville, Kennesaw State, Lipscomb, Mercer, North Florida and Stetson, with Florida Gulf Coast and USC Upstate to compete in 2007.

Other Top Performers

Katie Tobiasz, BEL (Sr. - OH - Rocky River, Ohio - Public Relations) -- Tobiasz hit .489 in two matches posting, 26 kills, three digs, and three blocks in the Magic-Music City Classic. She was named to the All-Tournament team for her efforts.

Ashley Weers, CAM (Fr. - OH - Littleton, Colo. - Undecided) -- Weers led the Camels with 38 kills, 3.80 kills per game, nine service aces, and averaged 4.8 points per game. She was named to the Georgia Southern Invitational All-Tournament team.

Audra Harrison, GWU (Jr. - OH - Hickory, N.C. - Physical Education) -- Harrison became the first person in GWU D-I history to surpass the 800-dig plateau with her 41 digs at the Duke Invitational. She tallied 38 kills and was named to the All-Tournament Team.

Jennifer Emerson, ETSU (Sr. - S - Tracy, Calif. - Biology) -- Emerson dished out 84 assists, while compiling a .393 attack percentage, committing just one error and putting down 12 kills in 28 total attacks at the Charlotte Classic. She also served up four aces over the course of the weekend. She also earned All-Tournament team honors.

Stevenique Richardson, JU (Sr. - MB - Red Springs, N.C. - Communications) -- Richardson had 22 kills, including 12 in the Dolphins in the 3-1 win over UMKC. She also racked up eight blocks and led the team with a .367 hitting percentage. She was named to the Louisville Invitational All-Tournament team.

Karen Dorris, MER (So. - MB/OH - Nashville, Tenn. - Business) -- Dorris led the team with four total blocks against Florida State. She set a career high 14 kills and 5 service aces against Mississippi Valley State. She had a total of 26 kills for the weekend.