Norris, Oliver Named MAC West Players of the Week

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Mid-American Conference named its weekly award winners for volleyball, with Western Michigan's Terin Norris and Lena Oliver earning MAC West Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, for October 15. The honor is the fourth of the year for Oliver and the first of the year for Norris.

Norris was the catalyst for the Bronco offense last week, helping them to a 2-1 record overall as well as a weekend MAC sweep over Akron and Buffalo. Norris averaged 12.10 assists per set over the week, well over her season average, and directed an offense in which four different players averaged better than 2.50 kills/set.

Norris recorded 35 assists, five kills, and five digs in the Broncos' mid-week non-conference match at BIG EAST-leading Marquette, hitting .625 in the match. Norris recorded her team-leading 10th double-double of the season in the Broncos' win over Akron on Friday, recording 47 assists and 10 digs; those totals went along with six kills, two blocks, and one ace. Norris closed the weekend with perhaps her strongest performance of the week, recording 39 assists, six digs, four kills, and two blocks in the Broncos' sweep win over Buffalo.

Oliver was equally impressive over the week, with her defensive play a key part of the Broncos' successes. Oliver recorded the team-high with 21 digs in the Broncos' sweep victory over Buffalo on Saturday, and was part of a defensive effort that held the Bulls to just a .099 hitting percentage. Oliver was a key part of the Broncos' win against Akron, as well, recording 18 digs and ranking second on the team with seven assists. Oliver recorded the game high in digs against Marquette in a mid-week non-conference match, notching 11 digs, six assists, and one ace.

Oliver led the Broncos with a 5.00 digs/ set average for the week, and in a historical note, became just the second player in program history to reach 1,700 career digs.