University of Tennessee Athletics
UT'S HESTER NAMED SEC VOLLEYBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
September 03, 2002 | Volleyball
Sept. 3, 2002
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.
University of Tennessee senior outside hitter Janelle Hester earned Southeastern Conference Player of the Week honors, the conference office announced Tuesday afternoon. The Davenport, Iowa, native is the first UT volleyball player to take home the honors since outside hitter Ariana Wilson on Oct. 8 of last season. Hester is the SEC's first Player of the Week honoree for the 2002 campaign.
Hester led the Lady Vols to a 4-0 record last week, the school's best start since 2000 when UT began the season 5-0. Tennessee won the Fordham Rose Hill Classic on Aug. 31 by defeating host Fordham in the final match by a 3-0 count. UT also upended Cal State Fullerton and Iona, both by scores of 3-0. The Orange and White's final victory came in South Orange, N.J., with a 3-0 victory over Seton Hall.
Hester recorded 68 kills in the Big Orange's four matches, leading UT in the department in every contest. She posted a double-double against Iona with 17 kills and 12 digs on Aug. 31 and then recorded her 1,000th career kill against Fordham later that day. Her efforts earned her a spot on the Fordham Rose Hill Classic All-Tournament team. Over the four-day span, Hester averaged 5.67 kills, 1.58 digs and 0.50 blocks per game.
"We're really excited for Janelle in winning this honor," said Head Coach Rob Patrick. "It is a testament to her hard work and improvement each year. This award is also a reflection of how well the team played this weekend and Janelle would be the first person to say that she couldn't have earned this honor without her teammates."
Hester and the rest of the Lady Vols will head to Cullowhee, N.C., this week to participate in the Catamount Clash III, hosted by Western Carolina on Sept. 6-7. UT matches up with the host school on Sept. 6 at 8 p.m., and then plays Villanova at 11 a.m. and Georgia State at 5 p.m. on Sept. 7.
