University of Tennessee Athletics
Nikki Fowler Claims Pair of Player of the Week Awards
September 28, 2009 | Volleyball
Sept. 28, 2009
By Cameron Harris, Assistant Media Relations Director
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Following a pair of solid all-around performances this weekend, University of Tennessee junior outside hitter Nikki Fowler has picked up a pair of honors, being named both the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week and Lady Vol Athlete of the Week. The league honor is her first of the season and fourth of her career, while the Lady Vol accolades mark her second of the year.
The Dallas, Texas, native was terrific in all phases of the game this weekend, leading UT to sweeps over Arkansas and Ole Miss. She averaged 4.5 kills, 4.0 digs, 1.17 blocks and 5.17 points per set over the course of the team's two matches and was also one of the Lady Vols' top passers, with just one reception error in 30 attempts (.967).
For the weekend, Fowler tallied a team-high total of 27 kills, while leading the Lady Vols in that category in both contests. She also topped the team with 24 digs and finished second with seven blocks in the two matches.
On Friday against the Razorbacks, the 6-2 outside hitter recorded 13 putaways, hit .385 and added nine digs and two blocks to give Tennessee its first SEC win of the season and Lady Vol Head Coach Rob Patrick the 250th victory of his career. Just two days later, Fowler posted another solid all-around performance against Ole Miss on national television (ESPNU), leading all players in the match in kills, digs and blocks. She notched her second double-double of the season and 20th of her career with 14 kills and 15 digs, in addition to recording five blocks and hitting .333 (14-4-30).
Fowler now leads Tennessee with 140 kills, 417 attacks and 174.0 points this season. She also ranks second in both total aces (11) and digs (136) and third with 44 blocks. With a career total of 937 kills, Fowler needs just 63 more to become UT's 17th entry into the 1,000 kills club.
Fowler and the Orange and White will have a busy schedule next week as they are slated to hit the road for a trio of contests. First up is a trek to the Bluegrass State for a showdown with Louisville at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30. From there the Lady Vols will return home for a day before traveling to Columbia, S.C. for a 6 p.m. matchup against South Carolina on Friday, Oct. 2. UT will finish off the road trip against No. 5 Florida in Gainesville at 1:30 p.m. two days later.
