Pilakowski Named Big 12 Volleyball Player of the Week

Senior outside hitter Laura Pilakowski has been selected as the Big 12 Volleyball Player of the Week for the week of Oct. 14-20, the Big 12 office announced Monday morning. Pilakowski is the first Nebraska player to receive the honor this season.

Pilakowski had her best offensive week of the season in leading the Huskers to three-game victories at Oklahoma and against Baylor. The 2000 AVCA All-American and two-time first team All-Big 12 pick averaged 5.17 kills per game on a .562 hitting percentage, as she tallied 31 kills and committed just four errors in 48 attempts. Pilakowski paced NU with 35.5 points in the two matches.

Pilakowski led NU at Oklahoma with 16 kills on a .500 hitting percentage. The match marked a milestone for Pilakowski, as she surpassed the 1,000 career-kills mark midway through the contest and had increased her career total to 1,006 by the end of the match. The Columbus, Neb., native also added seven digs and two service aces against the Sooners. Against Baylor, Pilakowski tied for the team lead with 15 kills. She erred just twice on 20 attacks for a season-best .650 hitting percentage.

The Huskers are now 17-1 overall and a perfect 9-0 in Big 12 play. NU will travel to Kansas Wednesday before returning to Lincoln to host Texas A&M on Saturday.

2002 Big 12 Volleyball Player of the Week Honorees
Date Player School
Sept. 2, Melissa McGehee, Texas Tech
Sept. 9, Shen Danru, Missouri
Sept. 16, Mira Topic, Texas
Sept. 23,Monique Gerlach, Colorado
Sept. 30, Mary Lauren Smith, Missouri
Oct. 7, Melissa McGehee, Texas Tech
Oct. 14, Caron Blotch, Texas
Oct. 21, Laura Pilakowski Nebraska