October 18, 2004
Laura Jones, a junior outside hitter for the 16th-ranked Texas A&M volleyball team, was named Sports Imports/AVCA Division I National Player of the Week, the American Volleyball Coaches Association announced today.
Jones, the first player in A&M history to earn the award, directed the Aggies to victories over Oklahoma and previously undefeated and then-ninth-ranked Texas last week. The Arlington, Texas, native averaged 6.86 points, 5.86 kills, 1.14 blocks, 4.14 digs and 0.29 aces per game in the two matches, in addition to attacking at a .352 clip.
Jones hit .393 against Oklahoma on Wednesday with 14 kills, nine digs and three blocks in a sweep of the Sooners. Jones then paced the Aggies to their second win over a top 10 opponent this season, tying a school record with 32 points against the rival Longhorns. Jones tallied 27 kills while hitting .333 and also added two aces, one block solo, four block assists and 20 digs.
Jones improved her season averages to 5.39 points, 4.65 kills, 2.71 digs and 0.78 blocks per game.
Jones and the No. 16 Aggies (10-5, 6-3 Big 12) conclude the first half of the conference season at Colorado, Wednesday at 8 p.m. (CDT) at the Coors Events Center in Boulder. The team then treks to Lubbock, Texas, for a 1 p.m. match against Texas Tech Saturday to begin the second half of conference play.