RAMS GARNER WEEKLY AWARDS
November 1, 2005

WACO, TX:  The Texas Wesleyan University volleyball team improved to 23-3 overall and 15-0 in Red River Athletic Conference matches with five more victories last week, and the Lady Rams garnered all of the conference’s weekly awards for October 24-30.  Rachel Loftin was named RRAC Player of the Week, Whitney Johansen was tabbed RRAC Setter of the Week, and Susan Taylor was selected as RRAC Libero of the Week.

Loftin, a senior middle blocker from Burleson, Texas, posted 83 kills in all, breaking the school’s career kills record in the process.  She struck for 27 kills against Paul Quinn College (Texas) and 18 against Houston Baptist University (Texas).  Loftin committed only seven errors in 143 total attacks for a .531 hitting percentage. She also provided 15 digs and 24 blocks for the Lady Rams.

Johansen, a senior setter from Colleyville, Texas, paved the way for TWU again on 209 assists with 52 against both PQC and HBU. She averaged 13.1 assists per game across the five matches, and she contributed 41 digs, 17 kills, seven aces and eight blocks. This marks the fourth time this season that Johansen has been recognized as the RRAC Setter of the Week.

Taylor, a senior libero from Southlake, Texas, supplied the Lady Rams defense with 101 digs. She had a career-high 39 to stymie HBU, and she added 20 against Huston-Tillotson University (Texas). Taylor also avoided committing a single error in 43 receiving attempts, while posting 43 aces. This is also the fourth time that she has been honored with a weekly award this season.

The Rams are currently ranked 12th in the nation with a record of 23-3.  They are currently riding a 22-match winning streak.  They will host Southern Nazarene and Southwestern Assemblies of God tonight in the Sid Richardson Center.  By winning those matches, the Lady Rams could tie the school record with 24 consecutive wins.