University of Tennessee Athletics
YULIYA STOYANOVA CLAIMS PAIR OF WEEKLY AWARDS
September 11, 2006 | Volleyball
Sept. 11, 2006
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - After leading the No. 12 University of Tennessee volleyball team to a 3-0 record and the Pitt Invitational title this weekend, junior outside hitter Yuliya Stoyanova has earned both Southeastern Conference Player of the Week and Lady Vol Athlete of the Week honors.
The 2005 AVCA Honorable Mention All-American and First-Team All-SEC performer also claimed the tournament MVP award after a pair of spectacular performances this weekend. The Sofia, Bulgaria, native posted consecutive double-doubles in the team's first two matches and collected team-high totals of 41 kills, 5.86 kills per game, 91 attack attempts, 3.71 digs per game, 48.5 points and 6.93 points per game. She also finished second on the team with 26 digs and tied for third with 10 blocks.
In the Orange and White's opening contest, Stoyanova recorded 18 kills, 15 digs and four blocks as they defeated host-team Pittsburgh in four games, 28-30, 30-23, 20-27, 30-19.
The following day, she followed that stellar performance with another, tallying a season-high 23 kills and team-high 11 digs in a sweep over Marshall, 30-21, 30-28, 30-26. She also set season-high marks with a .370 hitting percentage (23-6-46) and six blocks in the match.
Stoyanova currently leads the team with 4.18 kills per game, 242 attack attempts and 187 reception attempts in 22 games this season. She is second on the squad with 105.5 points and 4.80 points per game and third with 92 kills and 2.5 digs per game this year.
The last player from Tennessee to earn SEC Player of the Week accolades was Julie Kytych on Nov. 16, 2005, while sophomore Mindy Flynn picked up the Lady Vol Athlete of the Week award on Aug. 28, 2006, just two weeks ago.
The Lady Vols will be back in action Sept. 5 when they return home to open SEC play with a 7 p.m. contest versus No. 22 LSU at Stokely Athletics Center. Tennessee will be looking to avenge a 2005 loss to the Tigers as well as extend its 22-match home winning streak. UT head coach Rob Patrick will also attempt to become only the second coach in Tennessee volleyball history to earn 200 wins as his record currently sits at 199-96.
