Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Pick Up Pair of Pac-12 Player Of The Week Honors
October 19, 2015 | Volleyball
BOULDER — Sophomore Gabby Simpson and freshman Naghede Abu have earned Pac-12 Conference Player of the Week honors after guiding the University of Colorado volleyball team to a pair of victories last weekend.
“The recognition of these players is a testament to the great work of not just these players, but the team after a strong showing this weekend,” head coach Liz Kritza said. “The best thing about these players is that they will highlight the efforts of their teammates and will appreciate the honor, but will get right back to work to continually improve.”
Simpson, who was named the offensive player of the week for the second time this season, averaged 5.00 kills per set and hit .337 as the Buffs recorded wins against Cal and No. 6 Stanford. Simpson hammered a career-best 25 kills in CU's first ever win against the Cardinal on Sunday and hit an impressive .405. She also picked up 10 digs for her seventh double-double of the season in the match. In the contest on Friday against Cal, Simpson had 15 kills.
“I am very excited that I was honored and I could not have played at this level without my team and my coaches,” Simpson said. “Now we get back to work to prepare for our next Pac-12 weekend.”
“Gabby has been working very hard to develop into the offensive weapon she is now and it's great to see that hard work pay off,” Kritza said.
Abu was tabbed the freshman player of the week, CU's first ever since joining the conference in 2011. She led the Buffs with 1.50 blocks per set in the two matches. She posted a team-high seven blocks and had two kills in the four-set win against Stanford. Abu also tallied five kills, one dig and five blocks in the win against Cal.
“I am so very grateful to be receive this honor,” Abu said. “Special thanks to my coach and my team for all of their support. We are looking forward to working for our continued success.”
“Naghede is one of the brightest young players in this league and it is good to see her efforts being recognized as well,” Kritza said.
The Buffs have earned four player of the week honors this season. Junior Cierra Simpson was named the defensive player of the week on October 5.
Colorado is 12-8 overall and is 4-4 in the Pac-12. CU heads to the desert this weekend for a pair of matches. The Buffs face No. 14 Arizona on Friday, Oct. 23, and on Saturday, Oct. 24, they will take on No. 13 Arizona State.
