Monday, November 14, 2005

Valparaiso University senior Katie Bova (Milwaukee, Wis./Divine Savior Holy Angels) has been named the Mid-Continent Conference Offensive Player of the Week for her performances in a pair of Crusader wins this weekend.

Bova led the Crusaders to a regular season title-clinching win over Oral Roberts Sunday afternoon by posting her fifth career triple-double, and fourth of this season. The senior had 12 kills, 48 assists and 13 digs in the four-game match, hitting .500. The match was the final regular-season appearance at the Athletics-Recreation Center for Bova and three other seniors, and she was a major part of a 9-0 run in game three that swung the match to Valpo.

On Friday night, Bova did not make a single attack error on eight swings, leading the Crusaders to a three-game sweep of Centenary. Bova finished the week with a .500 hitting percentage and 16 kills.

During her four-year run in a Crusader uniform, Bova is in Valpo's career top-10 in digs, assists and aces. The 2004 Mid-Con Setter of the Year has twice earned Offensive Player of the Week honors this season.

As the reigning Mid-Con Tournament MVP, Bova will look to lead the Crusaders to a third straight tournament title and NCAA Tournament berth this weekend. The 2005 tournament begins Saturday night at the ARC, with the third-seeded Western Illinois Westerwinds (17-12, 11-3 Mid-Con) taking on second-seeded Oral Roberts (21-10, 12-2 Mid-Con) at 5:00 p.m. The top-seeded Crusaders (24-6, 13-1 Mid-Con) will take on fourth-seeded IUPUI (14-16, 7-7 Mid-Con) in the second semi-final at 7:30 p.m. The conference's automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament will be decided Sunday at 2:00 p.m.