Nov. 6, 2006

Champaign, Ill. - Illinois freshman Ashley Edinger stepped into one of the toughest positions to master early in a player's career - the libero spot -- and hasn't missed a beat. Starting all season at a position that takes the brunt of the serve receptions, Edinger has consistently performed at a high level. On Monday, she was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.

Edinger's recent honor comes on the heels of great performances against Northwestern and Iowa with the match in Iowa City particularly spectacular. In the four-game win over the Hawkeyes, she eclipsed 30 digs for the second time this year with an even 30 as the Illini staved off Iowa by two points in each of the final three games, including a thrilling 39-37 triumph in the fourth and what turned out to be deciding game of the match. Edinger was nearly flawless on serve receive. With an unusually high 70 reception attempts, she committed just two errors for a .971 percentage, while adding two aces and two assists. Edinger also was strong in the Illini's four-game home defeat to Northwestern, where she had 18 digs, a .977 reception percentage, four assists and two aces.

Edinger ranks third in the Big Ten in service aces with 34, helping the Illini lead the conference in that category as a team. She is also third in the league in digs at 4.86 per game and recently completed a stretch where she didn't commit a reception error in four of five matches. Her 30 digs vs. Iowa are one off her career-high of 31which she posted against Loyola. With 408 digs on the year, Edinger is within striking distance of Beth Vrdsky's single-season record of 520 set last year.

This marks Edinger's third honor of the year, earning all-tournament accolades at the State Farm Illini Classic and the Marquette Kick-Off Tournament. It's also the second time that an Illini been honored by the Big Ten this season with sophomore setter Lizzie Bazzetta earning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 2.

"Ashley has consistently improved throughout the season, becoming one of the steadiest performers in the conference," said Illinois head coach Don Hardin. "She's clearly playing at level that's beyond her freshman experience."