CVU.com National Player of the Week (Oct. 20): Sonja Newcombe

The Collegiate Volleyball Update (CVU.com) is pleased to announce that Oregon senior Sonja Newcombe has been selected as the CVU.com National Player of the Week for Oct. 12 through Oct. 18.

A 6-1 outside hitter from Lake Arrowhead, Calif., Newcombe turned in career-best numbers in leading the Ducks to Pac-10 victories over California and Stanford over the weekend.

Starting Friday, Newcombe scorched the Bears with .545 hitting as she smacked 13 kills on 22 attempts. She made it a double-double with 10 digs while also adding two aces and a block. It was Oregon's first sweep of Cal since 1990.

Then, in Saturday's match, Newcombe came through big against Stanford with a pair of career marks. She tied her career high (set the week before against Arizona) with 26 kills while also scooping a personal best 24 digs as the Ducks picked up their first victory over the Cardinal since 1989. Newcombe hit .362, adding two more blocks and another ace.

For the week, Newcombe led the team, averaging 4.88 kills per set on .413 hitting, while also recording 4.25 digs per set. She added three total each of aces and blocks for the two matches.

Newcombe earned Pac-10 Player of the Week honors for her efforts as Oregon moves into a tie for third place in the conference.

In addition to the Player of the Week, CVU.com will be announcing selections for the Top Performers from the past week. These selections will include the Player of the Week and up to 10 others. Choices will consist of players who were finalists for the weekly honor and others who had exceptional individual matches. The additional selections will be based on nominations and CVU.com staff criteria.

Top Performers

• Tori Beckman, Buffalo, Freshman, Libero, 5-8
• Suzy Boulavsky, Oklahoma, Sophomore, Right side, 6-1
• Emily Hughes, Southeast Missouri, Junior, Middle blocker, 5-11
• Mallory Leggett, Illinois State, Junior, Outside hitter, 6-0
• Katie Mann, Fairfield, Senior, Middle blocker, 5-11
• Kelly Murphy, Florida, Sophomore, Setter/Right side, 6-2
• Kelsi Myers, San Diego, Junior, Setter, 5-8
• Sonja Newcombe, Oregon, Senior, Outside hitter, 6-1
• Bre Payton, Northern Iowa, Sophomore, Setter, 5-8
• Brooke Stanley, Albany, Junior, Setter, 5-9
• Shelly Walroth, Jacksonville, Senior, Libero, 5-7

Editor's Note: This is the eighth in a series of Player-of-the-Week selections that will be made through the remainder of the season and announced on Tuesday or Wednesday of each week.

College and conference SIDs are welcome to make Player-of-the-Week nominations. Nominations are due every Monday by 1 p.m. Pacific time.

Story Extras

Additional information about the Top Performers, is available in PDF format