The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Paniagua Selected C-USA Co-Defensive Player Of The Week
11/2/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 2, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Coming off one of the most impressive blocking performances in the league this season, UAB senior volleyball player Patty Paniagua has been named the Conference USA Co-Defensive Player of the Week, as announced Monday by the C-USA office. She shares the honor with Rice libero Tracey Lam.
Paniagua, a middle blocker from Stockton, Calf., recorded the first double-double of her career and just the third in the conference this season of the kills and blocks variety in Sunday's match with Southern Miss. She put down 12 kills and tallied a career-best 11 total blocks as the Blazers pushed the league-leading Golden Eagles to five sets.
"Patty played well in both of our matches over the weekend, but she was unbelievable on Sunday," UAB head coach Kerry Messersmith said. "For a middle blocker to have a double-double is pretty remarkable. Our middles have been one of our biggest strengths this year, and Patty has been a major part of that."
Paniagua's 11 blocks against Southern Miss tied for the second-most in a match by a single player in Conference USA this season, and she helped UAB to its highest team blocking total of the year at 19.
The blocking performance by Paniagua was part of a strong all-around defensive match for UAB. Blazer libero Heather Thomas finished the contest with a career-high 36 digs, tying for the highest single-match total by a player this year in the conference.
For the week, Paniagua averaged 1.89 blocks per set and also chipped in 2.33 kills per frame. She recorded six blocks Friday against UCF as UAB opened the weekend with a 3-1 win over the Knights.
The defensive player of the week honor is the first of Paniagua's career and the first weekly award for a UAB volleyball player this season.
The Blazers (13-14, 6-6 C-USA) have five matches remaining in the regular season. They open a three-match road stretch Tuesday with a 7 p.m. CT contest at Troy. The match serves as the final non-conference contest of the year for UAB.
