Tulsa Volleyball Senior Wins AVCA Player Of The Week

After earning Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week accolades yesterday, senior outside hitter Tyler Henderson was named the Sports Imports/AVCA Division I National Player of the Week, the AVCA announced today.

It is the second time that Henderson has won the award, as she took home the honor after she set a NCAA record in the 25-point era with 45 kills in a Tulsa 3-2 victory over SMU on October 6, 2010.

"We are proud of her and of this accomplishment," commented Head Coach Steven McRoberts. "It is the second time she has achieved this, and we look for this to be another point in her career that it kick starts her to even a higher level of play. I think she is just getting ramped up and is ready to finish her senior season on a high note."

Henderson, the career points leader in Conference USA history, averaged 6.12 kills, 6.94 points per set, 1.12 digs per set and hit .430 as Tulsa picked up two victories against league foes. She tallied 31 kills and an attack percentage of .434 in Tulsa's 3-2 victory over UTEP on Friday night. That performance marked the second time this season she collected more than 30 kills in a match. Against Tulane, Henderson recorded 18 kills, including 10 in the first frame to lead the Golden Hurricane to a sweep of Tulane. Henderson also hit .424, recorded six digs, collected a season-high four service aces and tied a season-high mark of four blocks.

"She had a great week of practice," McRoberts stated. "She came everyday focused, and I think she was ready to bounce back after the loss to UCF. She did a great job over the weekend and helped us get a big win over UTEP Friday night at home and came back on Sunday with 18 kills in three sets. It was just a huge weekend for her, and I know she would say it was a huge weekend for the team as we got two wins."

A two-time second team AVCA All-American, Henderson ranks second in the nation in kills with 5.31 per set and points with 5.82 per frame this year. She also is the career points leader in Conference USA history.

Tulsa will travel to Dallas on Friday, October 19 to face SMU in a 7 p.m. tilt. That marks the only match for the Hurricane this week.