Crose earns SEC Defensive Player of the Week

FAYETTEVILLE — Senior middle blocker Karla Crose earned Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors Monday after leading the University of Arkansas to three wins over the week. Crose becomes the third player honored by the SEC as Arkansas garners its fifth individual award. Amy Allison has earned Defensive Player of the Week honors twice this year while redshirt freshman Christina Lawrence has twice been SEC Freshman of the Week. "It’s always great when any of the team gets recognized," said Arkansas head coach Chris Poole. "Karla had a great week and played well in all three matches and I’m proud she was recognized by the conference. I hope that she continues to play well and lead us this week." Crose, a Lincoln, Neb., native, tallied 18 total blocks in three wins over Oral Roberts, Mississippi State and Mississippi. She hit .327 for the week with 25 kills and added 12 digs and 3.18 points per game last week. Crose transferred to Arkansas after one season at Indiana University. After redshirting the following year, she stepped onto the court becoming a solid middle blocker for Arkansas. Although her career is far from over Crose finds herself well-represented in the Arkansas record books. Crose ranks 16th for career kills with 609, 20th in kills per game at 1.72, 17th in total attempts with 1510, 20th in hitting percentage with a .225 mark, 17th in assists with 104, tied for seventh in serving percentage with .947, tied for 15th in block solos with 20, sixth in both block assists with 382 and total blocks with 402. Crose is tied for seventh in blocks per game with 1.14, tied for 15th in games played with 354 and is 16th for matches played with 94. Arkansas continues its push for an 11th SEC Western Division title traveling to LSU for a mid-week match in Baton Rouge, La., Wednesday. The regular season concludes Sunday as the Lady’Backs host Kentucky at 1:30 p.m., in Barnhill Arena. For more information about Arkansas volleyball log on to LADYBACKS.COM.

SEC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Karla CroseArkansas • MB • SeniorLincoln, Nebraska