Fernanda Earns Weekly Big 12 Honor

Sept. 21, 2009

NORMAN, Okla. – University of Oklahoma freshman libero María Fernanda (Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico) was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week Monday afternoon. Fernanda becomes the seventh Sooner to earn a conference weekly honor and first this season.

“It was very important for us to start conference play off the right way,” said OU head coach Santiago Restrepo. “There's no better way to start than getting a win on the road and one at home and María was a big part of that success. She has done a great job of passing and serving. She's communicating and making things easier for our setters and hitters. It's a well deserved honor for her and a privilege to be recognized by the conference.”

Last week, Fernanda led Oklahoma to a 2-0 record to start conference play. The freshman averaged 5.12 digs per set and one assist per set as OU defeated Kansas State and Missouri. On the road against the Wildcats, she matched her season high with 23 digs and added five assists in the 3-1 victory. In the home opener against Missouri, she recorded 18 digs and three assists in another 3-1 win.

Fernanda becomes the first Sooner to be named Defensive Player of the Week since Mariana Blum earned the honor on Sept. 10, 2007. Fernanda joins teammates Sarah Freudenrich (Rookie of the Week; Oct. 22, 2008) and Caitlin Higgins (Offensive Player of the Week; Nov. 3, 2008) as current Sooners with weekly award honors.

The Sooners return to action Wednesday evening, traveling to Lawrence, Kan. to take on the Kansas Jayhawks at 6:30 p.m. CT. from the Horejsi Family Athletics Complex.