Arslanbekova Named BIG EAST Player of the Year
November 17, 2011 | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 17, 2011
MILWAUKEE - Junior Lola Arslanbekova was named the BIG EAST Player of the Year during Thursday night's awards banquet at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center.
Arslanbekova led the Cardinals (21-7, 13-1) to the regular season title and the top seed at the BIG EAST Championship. The Tashkent, Uzbekistan native was one of two unanimous selections to the All-BIG EAST First Team. Arslanbekova led the Cardinals with 494 kills (4.94/set), which ranks third nationally. Arslanbekova currently ranks sixth in school-history with 1,471 kills and has notched 11 double-doubles this season. She was named BIG EAST Player of the Week four times this season.
Joining Arslanbekova on the first team were sophomores Emily Juhl and Taylor Brauneis.
Juhl, the 2010 BIG EAST Championship MVP is tops on the team with 30 aces and is second with 236 kills while Brauneis has notched seven double-doubles and averages 10.39 assists per set.
Louisville opens up play at the BIG EAST Championship tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. Eastern against Pittsburgh at the Al McGuire Center. Fans can watch for free at BIGEAST.tv.
2011 BIG EAST Major Award Winners
BIG EAST Volleyball Coach of the Year
Bond Shymansky - Marquette
BIG EAST Player of the Year
Lola Arslanbekova - Louisville
BIG EAST Libero of the Year
Kim Maroon - Villanova
BIG EAST Freshman of the Year
Chelsea Heier - Marquette
All-BIG EAST First Team
Missy Harpenau, OH, Cincinnati
Jordanne Scott, MB, Cincinnati*
Lola Arslanbekova, OH, Louisville*
Taylor Brauneis, S, Louisville
Emily Juhl, OH, Louisville
Danielle Carlson, MH, Marquette
Ciara Jones, OH, Marquette
Kiesha Leggs, MB, Pittsburgh
Meghan Matusiak, OH, Seton Hall
Sam Hinz, MB, Syracuse
Kim Maroon, L, Villanova
Maggie Mergen, MB, Villanova
All-BIG EAST Second Team
Caylin Mahoney, S, Cincinnati
Jordan Kirk, OH, Connecticut
Ashley Beyer, OH, Marquette
Chelsea Heier, S, Marquette
Kristen Dealy, OH, Notre Dame
Jeni Houser, OH, Notre Dame
Darlene Ramdin, OH, St. John's
Shelbey Manthorpe, S, Seton Hall
Valerie El Houssine, OH, USF
Noemie Lefebvre, OH, Syracuse
Lindsay McCabe, MB, Syracuse
Morgan Petkovic, OH, Villanova
* Indicates unanimous selection
