Higgins Honored by AVCA

Caitlin Higgins Photo Gallery

NORMAN, Okla. - University of Oklahoma volleyball student-athlete Caitlin Higgins has been named the Sports Imports/American Volleyball Coaches Association Division I National Player of the Week, the organization announced Tuesday afternoon. Higgins is the first Oklahoma player to earn the honor. She was also named a CVU.com Top Performer of the Week. The honors come just a day after the Amarillo, Texas native was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week.

"It is a great honor to be recognized by the AVCA," said Oklahoma head coach Santiago Restrepo. "Caitlin is well-deserving of the award."

Higgins led OU to a 2-0 record last week, including an upset at then third-ranked Texas and a victory at home against Baylor. She posted a team-high 18 kills and 12 digs, while compiling a .311 hitting percentage in Austin on Wednesday. The Amarillo, Texas rookie also had three service aces and scored 21.5 points overall in the match. Higgins then recorded 20 digs and 13 kills along with a block solo and two block assists on Sunday versus the Bears. On the week, she paced the Sooners in kills (31) and was second in digs (32) in addition to tallying 38.5 points, five service aces and four blocks.

Oklahoma faces 15th-ranked Kansas State Wednesday evening in Manhattan. The Sooners fell 3-2 to the Wildcats earlier this season in Norman. In that contest, Higgins tallied her eighth double-double of the season with 15 kills and 14 digs. OU won the first two sets, 25-18 and 25-22, but the Wildcats responded, taking the third set 26-24 and the last two 25-20 and 15-9.

In addition to Higgins' double-double, freshman Brianne Barker added her ninth of the season with 40 assists and 12 digs. Sophomore Chrissy Disarro tallied a career-high 11 kills and led the Sooners with a .333 hitting clip on the evening. Senior Lacy Barnes led OU defensively with 22 digs. Junior Bridget Laplante added 13.

Oklahoma (10-12, 6-8 Big 12) at #15 Kansas State (20-4, 10-3 Big 12)
Date	Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008
Location	Manhattan, Kan. \| Ahearn Field House (5,000)
Tickets	Available for $7 (general admission)
Internet	Live Stats
Game Info	Oklahoma Match Notes (PDF)