Cook, Ryding Earn Volleyball Players of the Week

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – Rachel Cook of Millikin and Stephanie Ryding of North Central were named volleyball players of the week in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Wednesday.

Cook, a junior middle hitter from Heyworth, Ill., was named the MVP of the New York University Tournament while helping the Big Blue to a 3-1 record, including an upset of No. 8 ranked NYU, and a share of the tournament title. Cook tallied 68 kills, twice as much as Millikin’s next best total (34 for 2.27 per game), for 4.53 kills per game. She tallied six service aces and six digs and also finished second on the team with 14 blocks.

Ryding, a freshman from Naperville, Ill., totaled 72 digs and four aces in four games to help North Central to a 4-0 record and tournament title at the Oglethorpe University (Ga.) Tournament last weekend. Ryding had 19 digs in a win over Oglethorpe, 19 more in a win over Piedmont (Ga.), a season-high 20 against Mississippi College and 14 in the final victory over Millsaps (Miss.).

Note: The CCIW volleyball players of the week will be announced every Tuesday until the end of the regular season. This week’s winners were announced on Wednesday due to the Labor Day holiday.

2006 CCIW Volleyball Players of the Week

Offensive Player of the Week
Rachel Cook- Millikin (9/6/06)

Setter/Defensive Player of the Week
Stephanie Ryding- North Central (9/6/06)