Oct. 15, 2003
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – For the second week in a row, Notre Dame sophomore MB Lauren Brewster (Brentwood, Tenn./Brentwood H.S.) was named a BIG EAST Conference Co-Player of the Week, it was announced Monday. She helped the Irish to a pair of 3-0 victories last weekend, cranking 29 kills on .614 hitting to go along with 13 blocks. Also gaining a share of the award was Megan Miller of Pittsburgh.
Brewster made just two errors in six games last week, accounting for a total of 38 points, and has hit over .600 in three consecutive matches after not doing so previously in her career. She had 13 kills and no errors on 19 swings (.684 hitting) on Friday against Seton Hall. She also was in on seven blocks.
On Sunday vs. Rutgers, Brewster had 16 kills on .560 hitting, as well as six blocks and four digs. She also registered 20.5 points.
Brewster, who set the Irish record for block assists in a season last year, leads the BIG EAST and ranks fifth in the nation in blocks per game at 1.67. She is a main reason Notre Dame ranks first nationally in team blocking, at 3.55. Brewster has had four or more blocks in 13 of 16 matches this season.
Since the beginning of the conference season, Brewster has been nearly unstoppable. She holds wide margins in leading the league in both hitting percentage (.462, with second at .429) and blocks (2.00, with second at 1.48) and is third in points (5.74), seventh in aces (0.37), and 10th in kills (4.21). Brewster’s play has been a major factor in helping the Irish lead the league in every team statistical category except digs (second to UConn) in league matches.
Brewster leads the Irish in blocks, attack percentage (.365), and points (4.78) and is second in kills (3.53) and third in aces (0.29). In the overall BIG EAST leaders, she is third in hitting and fifth in points, in addition to her blocking total.
The award marked the third league honor copped by Brewster in her collegiate career and second player-of-the-week distinction in as many weeks. She also was the BIG EAST Rookie of the Week on Oct. 28 of last season.
Miami freshman Francheska Savage was named rookie of the week by the conference on Monday.
Brewster and Notre Dame (14-2, 6-0), 15th in the latest AVCA national rankings, are enjoying an eight-day hiatus before a fall-break trip to the east coast. Next week the Irish will be at North Carolina on Tuesday, at Rhode Island on Thursday, and at Boston College on Friday. Notre Dame then returns to the Joyce Center for its final four home matches of the regular season, beginning Wednesday, Oct. 29 vs. Illinois State at 7 p.m. (EST).