Oct. 30, 2006

RICHMOND, Va. - Freshman middle blocker Laura Turner was rewarded by the Colonial Athletic Association today when she was named the CAA Rookie of the Week for her outstanding play this past weekend, leading the Patriots in blocks as the team split a pair of matches against CAA rivals William & Mary and VCU on the road.

In Friday's three-game win over the Tribe at Kaplan Arena in Williamsburg, Va., Turner was a force at the net for the Patriots' defense, tying her career highs in solo blocks with two, block assists with five and total blocks with seven. She also recorded eight kills on 17 swings for a hitting percentage of .294 in the victory.

The St. Louis, Mo. native played well again the next night against defending CAA Champion VCU in Richmond, Va., although it wasn't enough to extend Mason's winning streak to three consecutive matches. Turner hit .400 in the match, with seven kills on 15 attacks, and once again led the team in blocks, with four total.

During last week's matches, Turner averaged 2.50 kills per game, 1.83 blocks per game and recorded a hitting percentage of .344. For the season, she is averaging 1.84 kills per game, 0.87 blocks per game and has recorded a hitting percentage of .219.

The CAA also announced its Player of the Week on Monday, sophomore outside hitter Kelly Gibson of the Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens.