Sept. 28, 2009

Santa Clara freshman-redshirt Dana Knudsen was named the West Coast Conference Player of the Week today. Santa Clara, 10-5, opens WCC play this weekend at San Francisco on Fri., Oct. 2 at 7 pm.

"I am really happy for Dana. She has worked hard for everything she has received," said Bronco head coach Jon Wallace. "She continues to get better every time out. She still has a long ways to go to reach her potential which is scary."

"We are excited to start WCC play this weekend," continued Wallace. "We have switched to a 5-1 offense after running a 6-2 offense the first couple weeks of the season. We wanted to be at a higher level of execution by running the 5-1. Both of our middles percentages have gone up dramatically so that has helped. Our middle attack is where we need to be and Lindsy's game has been more consistent at a higher level," said Wallace. "For our team this preseason was great. We were in a lot of different situations and I believe the team - by living through it and growing through it - is ready for the 14 matches in conference."

Knudsen, a middle blocker, hit .431 and collected her second-straight all-tournament honors at the Penn Invitational. Knudsen collected a career-high 15 kills vs. Albany and averaged 3.3 kpg and 1.1 bpg in three matches.

"I'm really excited," said Knudsen. "The coaches have worked with me a lot on the court, but they have also worked to train me emotionally and mentally as well. They helped me adjust to the college speed and I am learning to impose my strengths on the other team.

"This award gives me confidence heading into WCC play. I look to continue to terminate," continued Knudsen. "Our conference is really talented again this year and we need to be ready to sell out every play. As a young team we are preparing mentally and physically for intense matches in the WCC."

Hitting .367 this season, Knudsen leads the starters with her hitting percentage. She is averaging 2.4 kpg and .9 bpg in 55 sets played. Knudsen leads the team with 49 total blocks and her 129 kills this season are second-best on the team.

Knudsen was redshirted last season after suffering a high ankle sprain during preseason.

Knudsen, an Elk Grove, Calif., native, graduated from St. Francis in Sacramento in 2008. The finance/marketing major is also an English minor.