GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Senior middle blocker Tia Russell has been named this week's Great West Conference Defensive Player of the Week, as announced by the league offices today.
A native of Brooklyn Park, Minn., Russell helped lead North Dakota to an undefeated 3-0 record this weekend with sweeps over Montana, Green Bay and Southern Utah to win the 2011 UND Classic.
An all-tournament team selection, Russell finished the weekend with a team-high 13 blocks (four solo). She was also key on offence, landing three aces and 14 kills.
Against future Big Sky opponent Montana (Sept. 2), Russell tallied four solid blocks, including a block solo in the second set. She then upped her game against Green Bay (Sept. 3) registering a season-high two solo stops and a set-winning block assist to close out the second frame. In the weekend finale versus Southern Utah, Russell added three more blocks (one solo) to her tournament total.
Russell currently ranks second on the team in blocks (26, 1.13/set), fourth in aces (three, 0.13/set), and fifth in kills (32, 1.39/set) and points (51, 2.22/set).
The Fighting Sioux play host to in-state rival North Dakota State tonight at 7 p.m. at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. Doors open at 6 p.m.
- Go Sioux -
