Liband Honored as NWC Volleyball Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University middle hitter Emma Liband (MH, Sandpoint, ID/Sandpoint HS) has bee named the Northwest Conference Volleyball Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week for her contributions to the Bearcats in matches played between Sept. 4 and Sept. 10. Liband helped the Bearcats go 2-3 during the week. The Bearcats were 2-2 at the Prairie Wolf Invitational hosted by Nebraska Wesleyan University, including a five-set win over previously undefeated (7-0) University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

Liband led the Bearcats with 26 total blocks during the week on six block solos and 20 block assists. She averaged 1.37 blocks per set and also earned nine digs (0.47 avg.) during the week.

Against Multnomah University on Sept. 5, Liband earned a match-high nine total blocks with three block solos and six block assists. During the Prairie Wolf Invitational, she recorded 17 total blocks in 15 sets. In Willamette's 3-2 win over previously undefeated Wisconsin-Platteville, Liband provided the Bearcats with three block assists and two digs.

The Bearcats will open NWC action on Friday, Sept. 15 at archrival Linfield College. Match time in McMinnville, Oregon, is slated for 7 p.m. (PDT). Willamette will host Pacific University as part of Homecoming/Alumni Weekend on Saturday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m.