Oct. 7, 2008

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - The University of Utah's Lori Baird was named the Collegiate Volleyball Update (CVU.com) National Player of the Week, the publication announced Tuesday.

Baird gave the Utes a boost on both sides of the net last week as they picked up three victories - including a pair of key conference road wins.

The senior got started against in-state foe Weber State with 11 kills, four digs and five blocks as she hit .500 in the 3-1 road victory. Baird followed up that performance with a similar match at TCU, where she had 14 kills, two more digs and five blocks as Utah picked up the sweep.

Baird's best performance of the week was at New Mexico. In Utah's 3-1 win, Baird turned in a double-double, hammering 21 kills on .447 while turning back 10 blocks to go along with four digs.

For the week, Baird averaged 4.18 kills over 11 sets while hitting .420, and also came up with 20 total blocks (three solo and 17 block assists) to average 1.82 blocks per set to become the Mountain West Conference leader with 1.39 blocks per set. Baird also scooped up 10 digs.

Utah (11-4, 3-2 MWC) hosts UNLV and San Diego State this week. The Utes will take on UNLV Thursday at Crimson Court. The match will be televised live on the Mtn., at 7 p.m. MT., with Anne Marie Anderson and Amy Gant calling the action.

First serve for Saturday's match against San Diego State will be at 1 p.m. MT.