Nov. 1, 2011
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By Eric DeSalvo
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF volleyball senior setter Rachel Vukson (Oakville, Ontario) was named Conference USA Setter of the Week for the third time in 2011 Tuesday afternoon. Vukson helped lead the Knights to two crucial conference victories over Houston and Rice this past weekend inside The Venue at UCF.
"Like I've said before, I couldn't get this award without the help of the passers and hitters on the team," Vukson said. "Everyone makes my job easier when they all do their job. This is more like a team award because everyone needs to work to make that happen."
Vukson's senior leadership and strong play on the court enabled the Knights to top Houston (3-2) for the first time since joining Conference USA in 2005. She picked up her 12th double-double of 2011 with 49 assists and 12 digs against the Cougars. The Canadian native also chipped in with four kills and totaled her second-best point total of the year with 5.5.
In the 3-1 victory over Rice on Sunday, Vukson averaged a stellar 13.25 assists per set (53 total), and for the season averaged 14.12 APS against the Owls. Her defensive presence limited the Cougars' hitting to just .117 and Rice to .216. She averaged 11.33 assists per set in the two wins.
"Certainly earning these kinds of awards never gets old," head coach Todd Dagenais said. "It is exciting to see how Rachel has grown in the two years she has been with us and to see her learn how to run an offense. We are really proud of how she is establishing herself as not only as one of the best setters in the conference, but in the nation. We are very happy that the team is having success to allow her to earn this type of recognition."
As a program, UCF has earned five weekly award winners from C-USA in 2011, as well Vukson being recognized as AVCA National Player of the Week in September.
The Knights will return to action when they travel to Memphis, Tenn., to take on the Tigers Thursday and Friday.