Nov. 24, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Redshirt senior middle blocker Belita Salters claimed the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week award after her stellar performances against Alabama and Mississippi State, the conference office announced today.

Salters hit .611 on the weekend, including .789 (15-0-19) against the Bulldogs on Senior Day at the Volleyball Competition Facility. That mark is the second best in Carolina history, topping Megan Laughlin’s .778 earlier this season against South Carolina State and coming in behind Lori Rowe’s .870 against Appalachian State in 1983. Sunday’s match against the Bulldogs was Salters’ fourth error-free contest of the season. The Scranton, S.C., native, who averaged 4.17 kills per set this weekend, has been in the nation’s top 50 in hitting percentage every week since the NCAA started releasing the report on Sept. 7 and is the only SEC player with an average of .400, as she leads the league this season in hitting proficiency.

This is Salters’ first weekly award in her four seasons of play at South Carolina and the second for the team this season. The Gamecocks’ Ivana Kujundzic took the Sept. 15 award from the league office.

The Gamecocks wrap up regular season play on Wednesday evening against Florida at 7 p.m. in the Volleyball Competition Facility.