Aug. 28, 2006

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Sophomore setter Laura Côté was named Conference USA's co-setter of the Week Monday afternoon, the Conference office announced. She shares the weekly honor with Houston's Kelsey King. Côté led Memphis to a 3-0 record and the Evansville Aces Invitational title in the Tigers opening weekend of the 2006 season.

At the controls of the Memphis offense, Côté led the Tigers to a plus-43 kills advantage en route to the program's first tournament championship away from home since 2004. The Tiger sophomore opened the year with by handing out 13.75 assists per game in the opening weekend of action to help lead Memphis to a 3-0 record and the Evansville Aces Invitational title. She highlighted her weekend with a strong all-around performance of 66 assists, eight digs, eight kills and five service aces in a tough five-game win over Austin Peay. Côté notched her first double-double of the season in the 3-1 title win over Evansville with 55 assists and 10 digs. Côté hit .340 with 20 kills, 20 digs and 8.0 total blocks.

The honor is the third in Côté's career. She garnered Setter of the Week accolades twice in 2005.

Memphis will now prepare for the Trojan Labor Day Classic, Sept. 1-2. The Tigers will take on UT-Martin and Alcorn State on Friday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively. Memphis will face the home team Troy Trojans on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m.