Oct. 15, 2012

MILWAUKEE - Rachel Neuberger of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has been named the Horizon League Volleyball Co-Defensive Player of the Week.

Neuberger tallied 27 total blocks in two matches over the weekend.

The junior from Muskego, Wis., averaged three blocks per set in the contests against Wright State and Valparaiso. She had 10 blocks in UWM's 3-1 win over the Raiders on Friday and followed that performance with an individual and league-best 17 blocks in Milwaukee's 3-2 loss to the Crusaders Saturday.

Neuberger tallied eight solo blocks among her 27 over the weekend, becoming the first Panther since Natalie Schmitting in 2007 to reach double figures in blocks in consecutive matches.

She currently leads the league in blocks during league-only matches and has posted two of the six double-figure blocking efforts around the league this season. Neuberger is also up to 326 career blocks, a number that is already eighth on the school's all-time list.

This week's award was shared with Taylor Root of Valparaiso, who tallied an NCAA three-set season-best 34 digs in a sweep of Green Bay Friday.

UWM starts the second half of league play on the road this weekend, heading to Cleveland State Friday before squaring off with Youngstown State Saturday.