Nov. 4, 2002

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara setter Kelli Sousa was named the West Coast Conference Player of the Week Monday for her performances last week against Sacramento State, Saint Mary's and San Diego. The junior led the Broncos to a 3-0 mark on the week, improving their record to 20-3 overall and 8-1 in league play.

Sousa averaged 14.27 assists per game and 2.82 digs per game for the week, while picking up nine kills with no errors and recording a .643 hitting percentage. In the Broncos 3-1 win over Sacramento State last Tuesday, Sousa posted 65 assists, 10 digs and one kill. Saturday night's 3-1 victory at San Diego saw her record 52 assists, five digs and six kills on only seven attempts. Friday night she posted 40 assists and a match-high 16 digs in the Broncos' 3-0 win at Saint Mary's.

She is currently leading the nation with her 14.64 assists per game average while ranking fifth on the team in digs per game with her 2.22 average. Her season hitting percentage currently stands at a remarkable .430 average, having posted 67 kills on 135 attempts with only nine hitting errors all season long.

Thus far this season she has tallied 1,171 assists, giving her 3,062 for her career, which ranks fourth all-time in Santa Clara history. Her current career average of 12.87 assists per game for her career ranks second all-time, trailing only Roz Pelayo who set the career mark at 14.01 when she played from 1997-2000.

In addition to her tremendous personal numbers, Sousa has led the Broncos to the No. 11 national ranking in the most recent AVCA/USA Today Coaches Poll, marking the highest-ever ranking in program history. The Broncos continue WCC play at home this weekend as they welcome Portland and Gonzaga to the Leavey Center on Friday and Saturday. Both matches are scheduled for 7 p.m. starts.