Sept. 17, 2007

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -

Junior outside hitter Sara Bendorf of the JU volleyball team has been named Community First Credit Union "Athlete of the Week" after leading the Dolphins to a 2-1 record last weekend for a three-game homestand at Swisher Gymnasium.

Bendorf led the Dolphin offense with 39 kills and a 3.9 kills per game average while also ranking second with a .269 (39-14-93) hitting percentage. She was also a key part of the Dolphin defense, ranking second with 24 digs and an average of 2.4 digs per game.

In a 3-0 win over Bethune-Cookman, Bendorf finished with a team-high 10 kills and a match-high .643 (10-1-14) hitting percentage to go along with nine digs.

Against No. 8 Washington, she led the Dolphins' offense once again by tallying 11 kills and a .233 (11-4-30) hitting percentage. She was also the only JU player to tally more than six kills against the Huskies in the contest. In a 3-2 win over New Orleans, she finished off her strong weekend with a double-double by tallying 18 kills and 11 digs.

Bendorf currently leads the Dolphins with 143 kills, a 3.11 kpg average, 21 service aces and is second on the squad with 127 digs and 2.76 digs per game. Her kills and service ace averages rank her ninth and 10th, respectively, in the A-Sun.

The Dolphins will open Atlantic Sun Conference play this week beginning with East Tennessee State on Friday at 7 p.m.