BEAL BECOMES FIRST HORNET FRESHMAN TO RECEIVE VOLLEYBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS SINCE 2000

10/4/2010

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Sacramento State freshman Kayla Beal was named the Big Sky Conference Volleyball Player of the Week after helping lead the Hornets to a pair of victories last week against Eastern Washington and Portland State.

Beal becomes the first Hornet freshman to earn volleyball player of the week accolades since Lisa Beauchene in 2000. In the team’s two victories last week, the rightside hitter finished with averages of 3.22 kills, 0.33 aces and 0.67 blocks per set while hitting .242 (29-13-66).

The Dixon, Calif., native recorded double figures in kills in both matches, including a season-best 18 against first-place Portland State and 11 vs. Eastern Washington. It was Beal’s match-high 18th kill that capped the Hornets’ 15-12 victory in the fifth set over the Vikings. Beal, who posted three aces against Portland State, also had three blocks in both matches.

A true freshman, Beal is now posting season averages of 2.12 kills and 0.63 blocks per set. She has tallied at least three blocks in four straight, and six of the last seven matches.

The Hornets are also 5-1 when Beal tallies double figures in kills. All six of those matches with double-digit kills have come at home where Beal is averaging 3.00 kills and 0.70 blocks per set to go along with a .303 hitting percentage.

Sacramento State (9-10, 2-2) concludes its four-match homestand this week against Idaho State (Friday, Oct. 8, 7 p.m.) and Weber State (Saturday, Oct. 9, 7 p.m.).