Sept. 17, 2007

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - University of Memphis volleyball tandem Shelby Burton and Laura Côté teamed up to haul in the Conference USA weekly volleyball awards the league office announced today. Burton was tabbed co-Player of the Week, joining Kelly Wernert of East Carolina. Côté was recognized as the league's Setter of the Week. The twosome led Memphis to an undefeated week of action, including a sweep of UAB in the C-USA opener.

Burton garnered all-tournament accolades for the third consecutive weekend--this time being named Most Offensive Player of the Tiger Invitational. She led Memphis (11-4) to a 4-0 week and co-champion finish in its final preseason tournament. Burton averaged 4.17 kills, 1.50 blocks and 5.54 points per game as well as a blistering .494 attack efficiency. The San Antonio, Texas native highlighted her week by setting a program record as she landed 18 kills and hit .810 against Stetson. She hit .304 and recorded 10 kills to help the Tigers to a sweep of UAB in the Conference USA opener. On the defensive side of the net, Burton had five blocks against the Blazers and six in a sweep of Louisiana-Lafayette. The senior currently ranks second in the league with a .488 hitting percentage and sixth in kills per game, averaging 4.25. She also ranked 33rd in hitting efficiency in the NCAA in the first set of rankings last week. This is Burton's third career C-USA Offensive Player of the Week honor.

Côté logged 14.17 assists per game to lead Memphis' offense to four consecutive sweeps in a perfect 4-0 week. The junior setter handed out match-high assists totals in all four matches, including averaging 17 assists to lead Memphis past Stetson. She spread out the Tiger offense as three players averaged over 3.6 kills per game as the Tiger offense hit .339 for the week. Meanwhile, she picked her spots well and posted 12 kills of her own to go with five service aces. Memphis tied UAB for the Tiger Invitational title as both posted 3-0 records. However, Memphis swept UAB to open C-USA action. The junior currently ranks leads the league with 12.90 assists per game. Côté appeared at No. 33 in last week's NCAA rankings for APG. This is Côté's fifth career C-USA Setter of the Week honor.

Memphis improved to 11-4 overall and 1-0 in C-USA action with its four sweeps last week. The Tigers will split time on the road and at home this weekend. They will prepare for a showdown at UTEP at 7 p.m. on Fri., Sept., 21 before returning home to host Tulane on Sun., Sept. 23.