Sept. 8, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. - Senior middle blocker Erika Lange (Orland Park, Ill./Carl Sandburg) was recognized at the national and conference level Monday, Sept. 8, following her exceptional performance over the weekend at the Chicago Challenge. After earning Big Ten Co-Player of the Week honors earlier in the day, Lange was named Sports Imports/AVCA Division I National Player of the Week late Monday afternoon. This marks the first time in her career that she has received either honor.
Lange led the Wildcats to three consecutive 3-0 victories against Loyola-Chicago, Ole Miss and Illinois-Chicago. The All-America candidate was named the Most Valuable Player at the tournament, as she recorded 48 kills (5.33 per game), 11 blocks (1.22 per game), nine digs (1.00 per game) and a .529 hitting percentage over the three-match span. In the final match of the tournament, Lange recorded 17 kills on 23 attacks with only two errors for a career-high hitting percentage of .652.
The Wildcats will travel to Miami this weekend to participate in the Orange and Green Challenge at the University of Miami. The other teams competing at the tournament will be George Mason and Columbia.