Wingate’s Krauser, Tusculum’s Sarmiento Garner SAC Volleyball Week 1 Awards

ROCK HILL, S.C. - Wingate junior Grace Krauser has been named SAC Player of the Week, and Tusculum sophomore Ashley Sarmiento is the SAC Specialist of the Week following both players' impressive performances in the 2011 volleyball season's opening slate of matches.

Krauser, a middle blocker from Louisville, Ky., led Wingate to a 4-0 record in the season's opening week -- a performance that vaulted the Bulldogs to No. 19 in the most recent AVCA top-25. She averaged 3.2 kills-per-set while hitting .338 for the week. In Wingate's victory over Lees-McRae, she tallied eight kills and a .333 percentage, then followed it up with a 10 kill, four dig, three block and three ace performance in WU's win over Lander.

Krauser also notched 14 kills with a .324 hitting percentage as Wingate defeated Flagler on Saturday.

[RELATED: SAC Volleyball Week 1 Report]

Sarmiento, the 2010 SAC Freshman of the Year, averaged 11 assists-per-set as Tusculum went an impressive 3-1 over the opening week. She recorded double-doubles in TC's wins against Flagler and Lees-McRae.

In the Flagler match, Sarmiento posted 34 assists and 10 digs. She followed that effort with 34 assists, nine digs and five kills in a 3-0 sweep over Lander. Against St. Andrews, Sarmiento tallied 34 assists, nine digs, five service aces and three kills in a 3-0 victory. She closed out the weekend with 41 assists and 14 digs against host Lees-McRae.

SAC Volleyball Week 1 Awards

Player of the Week
Grace Krauser, Wingate
Jr. | MB

Specialist of the Week
Ashley Sarmiento, Tusculum
So. | Setter