Nov. 11, 2003
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Notre Dame senior co-captain S Kristen Kinder (Fresno, Calif./Bullard H.S.) was named the BIG EAST Player of the Week Monday after leading the Irish to a pair of victories last weekend over the only two teams to have defeated Notre Dame in conference play in the last five years. Kinder set the Irish to a .305 attack percentage, while averaging 14.00 assists per game.
Kinder had a career-high 68 assists on Friday in a 3-2 victory over Virginia Tech. It was the most for an Irish player since Denise Boylan had 86 on Oct. 12, 2000. Kinder added seven kills and helped Notre Dame to a .291 hitting percentage.
On Sunday, the Irish setter had 44 assists, orchestrating an attack that hit .326 in defeating Miami in three games. Kinder also registered six assists on .455 hitting and helped Notre Dame to 58 kills (19.33 per game).
Over the weekend, the Irish averaged 17.63 kills and 16.25 assists per game.
It was the second such honor of Kinder’s career. She also copped the distinction on Nov. 12, 2001.
Kinder continued a tradition of Notre Dame dominating the league player of the week award. In 11 weeks this season, Irish players have earned at least a share of the honor seven times, while being idle once.
Miami setter Jill Robinson was named the BIG EAST Rookie of the Week on Monday, as well.
Kinder and the Irish (21-2, 10-0) have a busy week away from home ahead of them. Notre Dame, 12th in the most recent national rankings, plays at #14 Northern Iowa on Tuesday before visiting West Virginia on Saturday and Pittsburgh on Sunday. UNI has won 68 consecutive matches at home, while Pittsburgh is second in the BIG EAST, with a 9-1 record in league play. Notre Dame, which has won 14 in a row, will return home for the BIG EAST Championship Nov. 22-23 in the Joyce Center.