Monday, November 02, 2009

MACON, Ga. – Junior Stefine “Jake” Pease posted 72 assists, six kills and 18 digs to lead the Lady Bisons in a 3-0 sweep against Jacksonville, and later, their 19th-straight match win against UNF to help Lipscomb clinch its first-ever Atlantic Sun regular-season title. For her performance during the week, Pease claimed the second Player of the Week award of her career, the conference office announced on Monday.

The Berryton, Kan. native continues to quarterback the Lady Bisons at a high efficiency as they swept Jacksonville, ending their winning streak by a 3-0 score and then beat UNF, 3-0, to clinch the conference championship. Pease has proven uncanny at connecting with junior middle hitter Alex Kelly and junior outside hitter Meghan Hinemeyer, who both played club ball with Pease before coming to Lipscomb. The setter posted a team-high 14 digs against Jacksonville and collected 41 assists against Jacksonville, the ninth time this season she has had 41 or more assists.

Last week, Pease set a school career record for assists, besting Emily Smith's 3,501. Pease broke the record 3-0 win against Stetson on Oct. 24, posting 12 digs in 3-0 win versus FGCU on Friday, Oct. 23.

The Atlantic Sun Conference is an 11-member league committed to Building Winners for Life. The A-Sun stands for achievement with integrity in both the academic and athletic arenas, with a focus on the balance between the two for our student-athletes. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun boasts six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun includes a blend of the most prestigious and dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.

Other Top Performers
Kayla Albritton – Belmont (Jr. - OH - Gainesville, Fla. - Nursing) – Albritton led Belmont to two road victories against UNF and JU - the first time ever that the Bruins have defeated the Dolphins on the road, setting career-highs of 16 kills, seven blocks, and six digs at Swisher Gymnasium. Albritton also led Belmont to set a season-high for team blocks in an A-Sun Conference match (14), while adding 11 kills and a .381 hitting percentage at UNF. Albritton has also hit over .350 in four-straight matches.

McKayla Barber – ETSU (So. - MB - Columbus, Ind. - Exercise Science) – Barber led the Bucs with 17 kills on the week, hitting .467 with seven blocks. The Columbus, Ind. native added a team-best 11 kills, hitting .500 in the sweep of Stetson.

Amiee Frutchey – Mercer (So. - OH - Gresham, Ore. - Undeclared) – Frutchey led the Bears' offense with 11 kills on 23 swings as Mercer topped USC Upstate in its only match of the week. Against the Spartans, Frutchey did it all, notching seven digs, two block-assists, a pair of service aces and an assist in the winning effort. The Gresham, Ore. native now ranks seventh among league players in digs per set (3.80).

Sabrita Gulley – Kennesaw State (Jr. - OH - North Chicago, Ill. - Human Services) – Gulley led the Owls to secure their first winning record in program history. Against Chattanooga on Tuesday night, Gulley made 16 kills and 11 digs in KSU's 3-0 sweep of the Lady Mocs. In Friday night's match against USC Upstate, Gulley didn't commit an attack error, piling up 11 kills, five digs, and two solo blocks in the Owls' 3-0 sweep of the Spartans.