(Posted January 18, 2011)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Juniata College senior outside hitter Chris Vrooman (Baden, Pa./Ambridge Area) has been named the Sports Imports/American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III Men's Player of the Week, in announcements made Tuesday by the AVCA.

Vrooman's consistent playing led Juniata (5-1, 1-0 EIVA Hay) to five straight wins and one loss so far this season. Highlights include Juniata's victory over 4th-ranked UC-Santa Cruz when Vrooman hit .577 in the match and scored 19 points (18k/1a/1b) to contribute to a 3-1 victory. In a close 3-2 EIVA win over 12th-ranked New York University, Vrooman pulled through when the team needed him, scoring 18 points.

In the first victory versus Division II Grand Canyon, Vrooman hit .240 and scored 12 points (11k/1a/0b). In the second Grand Canyon victory, Vrooman scored 14 points and contributed seven digs. Vrooman hit .700 against Eastern Mennonite, tallying seven kills on ten attacks. Finally, in Juniata's only loss so far this season, he tallied 15.5 points at George Mason, putting away 13 kills on 44 attacks.

Overall, Vrooman averaged .325 kills, .17 set assists, .08 aces, 1.25 digs, .58 blocks and 3.62 points per set.

This is the 19th time a men's volleyball player from Juniata College has been named an AVCA Player of the Week, but it's Vrooman's first time taking home the honor. The last player to receive the honors was senior middle hitter Dan Powers (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) on March 30, 2009.

The Eagles will return to the court on Saturday, Jan. 22, when it faces Carthage College at Thiel College. Start time is scheduled for 9:00 p.m.

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Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.