The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Kirsten Gallagher Claims C-USA Weekly Defensive Award
9/26/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 26, 2011
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- Junior Kirsten Gallagher was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week for her outstanding play at the middle blocker position on the UAB volleyball team. The award marks the first of her career and the second consecutive weekly league defensive award claimed by the Blazers.
Gallagher was a presence at the net as UAB posted a 3-0 record in the first week of conference play. The Blazers are now 13-2 overall, thanks in large part to Gallagher's ability to stonewall opponent's attacks. The Auburn, Ala. native averaged 1.90 blocks per set, as she posted match highs in that statistic in each victory against Memphis, Marshall and East Carolina.
In the sweep of the Tigers, Gallagher recorded three solo blocks and three block assists, before tallying nine and four total blocks versus the Herd and Pirates, respectively. She posted as many solo blocks (6) for the week as the three conference opponents did combined.
As a team, the Blazers averaged a league-best 3.50 blocks per set, compared to just a 1.60 average by league foes. Gallagher guided the Blazers' defense to hold opponents to a .089 attacking percentage during the week, tops in the conference.
Teammate Heather Thomas earned C-USA defensive honors a week ago, on Sept. 19.
UAB is back on the road with contests at Tulane on Friday (7 p.m. CT) and Southern Miss on Sunday (1 p.m. CT).
