KARLA FAIRBANKS NAMED GLIAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Ferris State Junior Outside Hitter Garners League's Weekly Award

Junior outside hitter Karla Fairbanks has been named the GLIAC North Division Player of the Week

The 5-11 Fairbanks registered 62 kills, 24 digs and eight total blocks in three matches as FSU compiled a 1-2 mark last weekend (Sept. 5-6) at the Grand Valley State Days Inn Classic in Allendale, Mich. Fairbanks notched a personal career-high 35 kills in last Friday's (Sept. 5) 3-2 setback to North Alabama, which presently ranks as the second-highest single-match output in school history. She also recorded 14 digs and a .625 attack percentage against the Lions. Fairbanks, who was named to the GVSU Days Inn Classic All-Tournament Team, became the first FSU player to notch 30 or more kills in a single match since Morgan Buckner (1997-00) tallied 30 against Minnesota State-Mankato (10/30/98).

A 2003 team tri-captain, Fairbanks added 16 kills and 17 digs in last Saturday's (Sept. 6) 3-2 loss to Wheeling Jesuit (W.Va.) while totaling 11 kills and seven digs in last Friday's (Sept. 5) 3-0 victory over Alderson-Broaddus (W.Va.). Fairbanks, who is presently seven kills shy of registering her 700th career kill, leads Ferris with 98 kills in 22 games (4.45 kpg) to date this campaign.

The 2002 GLIAC All-Academic Team selection totaled 24 double-figure kills outings as a sophomore (2002), including a team-high 20 kills versus Wheeling Jesuit in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional Tournament (11/22) at Allendale. She also placed second among the team leaders in kills (429), blocks (54) and service aces (48) while starting 30 matches. Fairbanks recorded five double-figure kill performances in her freshman campaign (2001) and totaled 10 kills or more in three of Ferris' final six outings.

Ferris State, which is currently 1-5 overall, is scheduled to take part in the Great Lakes Region Crossover this Friday and Saturday (Sept. 12-13) at Highland Heights, Ky. The Bulldogs are slated to face Southern Indiana and West Virginia Wesleyan in non-conference action Friday at 2:30 p.m. (EDT) and 5 p.m. (EDT), respectively. FSU will then square off against tournament host Northern Kentucky and Fairmont State (W.Va) Saturday in 12:30 p.m. (EDT) and 5:30 p.m. (EDT) non-league matches, respectively.