Sept. 14, 2009

Contact: Greg Murphy

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Following her standout performance at the VB Rags Western Carolina Invitational over the weekend, Cleveland State junior middle hitter Amy Benz has been selected as the Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week.

The league office made the announcement on Monday (Sept. 14) afternoon.

It marks the third straight week that a CSU player has earned an honor from the Horizon League after senior libero Maggie Bonomini was tabbed the Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week in each of the first two weeks.

Benz was unstoppable offensively, hitting .560 in the three matches, helping the Vikings to three sweeps.

She finished the tournament with 31 kills and just three errors in 50 attempts, averaging 3.44 kills per set to go along with 0.89 blocks per set.

Benz began the tournament with nine kills and three blocks, while hitting .500 in a win over Howard. She followed that up by hitting .643 (11-2-14) with 11 kills and two blocks against host Western Carolina.

Benz concluded the tournament with an 11-kill, three block effort, while hitting .550 in a win over Gardner-Webb.

Her efforts garnered Benz a spot on the all-tournament team.

Benz is ranked second in the league in hitting percentage (.410) and seventh in blocks (0.94).

CSU returns to action on Tuesday (Sept. 15) when the Vikings host Wright State at 7:00 p.m. in the Horizon League opener for both teams. CSU will then play three matches (Xavier, Bowling Green, Ohio State) at the Ohio State Sports Imports Classic on Friday and Saturday (Sept. 19-20).