DENVER Rices Rebeca Pazo has been named the Western Athletic Conference Volleyball Player of the Week. Pazo earned her third career player of the week honor and second honor of the season. Pazo was named player of the week on Oct. 7. Sophomore Rebecca Kainz also earned the honor the week of Sept. 16.
The sophomore outside hitter averaged 6.22 kills per game, as the Owls defeated Louisiana Tech and Tulsa in WAC action and McNeese State in non-conference play. The Caracas, Venezuela, native ended the week with 56 kills, 24 digs and six blocks in nine games. The 2001 WAC Freshman of the Year hit .423 in three matches, hitting a stellar .471 against the Lady Techsters. Pazo had double-digit kills in all three matches.
Behind Pazos play, Rice made the leap to first place in the WAC Eastern Division with the wins over Louisiana Tech and Tulsa. Rice, 6-4, passed UTEP, 4-5, who held the top spot in the East. In three matches, the Owls did not lose a game.
Other nominees included: Kristen Fenton, Fresno State; Kim Willoughby, Hawaii; Brianna Sibley, Louisiana Tech; Salaia Salavea, Nevada; Stephanie Pascucci, San Jose State; Leslie Lasiter, SMU and Sarah Davis, UTEP.