University of Tennessee Athletics
CAUBLE, KNYTYCH SHARE LADY VOL ATHLETE OF THE WEEK ACCOLADES
September 23, 2003 | Volleyball
Sept. 23, 2003
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.
University of Tennessee cross country runner Megan Cauble and volleyball player Julie Knytych were named Co-Lady Vol Athletes of the Week on Tuesday, as voted by the UT Women's Media Relations staff. The award is a first for the sophomores, who were also recognized as Southeastern Conference Athletes of the Week in their respective sports on Monday.
Cauble, a product of West High School in Knoxville, earned the accolade after turning in the best performance of her young career last Friday evening as she helped lead the Lady Vol harriers to victory at the Crimson Classic in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The second-year Big Orange competitor covered the 5000-meter Harry Pritchett Golf Course layout in 18 minutes, 11.09 seconds to finish third overall, second among collegians and first among her UT teammates.
With teammates Brooke Novak, Carly Matthews and Elizabeth McCalley sitting out the meet as part of their training regimen, Cauble's effort was instrumental in pacing the defending NCAA South Region champ Lady Vols, as they triumphed over 14 schools in the Alabama heat and humidity. The team pacesetter role for the local standout was the first during her time at Tennessee. The previous best squad finish had been third, which she accomplished at the season-opening Tennessee/adidas Invitational as well as the 2002 SEC and NCAA Championships meets.
Knytych, a 5-9 setter for the volleyball team, was selected Tournament MVP at the Blue Demon Invitational in Chicago last weekend after leading UT to a flawless 3-0 record against IUPUI, Miami (Ohio) and host DePaul. A native of the Chicago suburb of LaGrange Park, Knytych enjoyed a stellar return to her old stomping grounds by posting averages of 13.30 assists, 2.80 digs and 1.40 kills per game, and charting a .393 hitting percentage during the tournament.
In Tennessee's 3-1 win over IUPUI, Knytych dished out a career-high 62 assists. In addition, her accurate setting helped UT achieve a team hitting percentage of .370 during the three matches. On the season, meanwhile, Knytych is averaging 11.89 assists, 2.93 digs and 1.41 kills per game, and she has a .279 hitting percentage. As a team, the Lady Vols are pounding the ball at a .286 clip in 2003, which would equal a program record that was established in 1980 if it lasts the duration of the season.
Prior to the Cauble/Knytych double, soccer's Keeley Dowling picked up Lady Vol AOTW honors on Sept. 2 and 16, while volleyball's Amy Morris collected kudos on Sept. 9.
