TicketsSept. 24, 2007
PROVIDENCE, R.I.---Stephanie Niemer's continued improvement has been recognized as she has been named the BIG EAST Freshman of the Week. Niemer (Erlanger, Ky./St. Henry) becomes the second UC player to earn the award this season after helping the Bearcats to a 3-0 record last week.
For the week, Niemer averaged 3.55 kills, 1.55 digs and 0.64 blocks per game as the Bearcats opened BIG EAST play 2-0. Niemer had at least a dozen kills in each of the three Bearcat wins, including 14 in a five-game triumph at USF. She had one of her best performances of the year last Tuesday at IUPUI, hitting a season-high .423 and recording a personal-best eight digs. Niemer joins classmate Annie Fesl as Bearcats to capture the BIG EAST Freshman of the Week award this year.
Senior Jenny Custer (Colorado Springs, Colo./Doherty) was also recognized for a strong week as she named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for the first time in 2007. For the week, Custer averaged a team-leading 3.73 kills per game, while hitting .393. She added 2.36 digs and 0.91 blocks per game, while moving into fifth place in UC career annals with 146 service aces.
After playing 10 of their last 11 matches on the road, UC returns home this weekend to kick off a five-match homestand. The Bearcats are back in BIG EAST play, hosting Marquette on Friday night and Syracuse on Sunday afternoon.