Manning Named C-USA Defensive Player Of The Week
Oct 10 | Volleyball
Oct. 10, 2011
IRVING, Texas (SMU) - Courtney Manning was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week after scoring 32 blocks in three matches, conference officials announced Monday. The junior middle blocker led SMU to a 2-1 record during the week, including a 3-1 victory at Tulsa, snapping the Golden Hurricane's 26-match conference win streak.
Manning, a 6-foot native of Mesquite, Texas, has a season-high 12 blocks in SMU's dominating 3-1 win over Tulane Sunday, blocking at least 10 attacks in three of the last four matches. She also posted her first double-double of the season with 12 kills and 11 blocks against the Green Wave on Saturday.
With 2.67 blocks per set during the three matches, Manning climbed from sixth in the conference to fourth with a season average of 1.30 per set. The national lead is 1.71 blocks per set. Manning also had 2.33 kills per set during the week, scoring 28 kills with a .344 attack percentage.
On the season, Manning has 163 kills and 96 blocks, ranking fifth all-time at SMU with 386 career blocks. With 1.27 blocks per set during her career, she currently holds the record at SMU. Manning set the single-season record at SMU with 162 total blocks as a sophomore last season.
The award is Manning's first of her career, and she is the second Mustang to earn a weekly honor from the conference this season. The Mustangs go on the road this weekend to face Memphis Friday at 7 p.m. and conference-unbeaten UAB Sunday at 12 p.m.
