Oct. 21, 2013

LOGAN, Utah - Utah State volleyball player Rachel Orr was named the Mountain West Conference Volleyball Player of the Week, selected and announced by the conference office Monday.

Orr, a junior outside hitter from Thatcher, Ariz., led Utah State to a pair of sweeps over Utah Valley and Nevada, averaging nearly a double-double with 10.5 kills and 7.5 digs per match. In Tuesday's win over the in-state foe Wolverines, she posted 10 kills on a .318 (10-3-22) attack percentage, to go with five digs, four blocks and one ace. In Saturday's sweep over the Wolf Pack, Orr posted her eighth double-double of the season to tie for the team-lead with 11 kills and 10 digs, adding two blocks and one ace. Orr's 11 kills came on a .444 (11-3-18) attack percentage. For the week, Orr posted a .375 (21-6-40) attack percentage, averaging 4.33 points, 3.50 kills, 2.50 digs, 1.00 blocks and 0.33 service aces per set.

This is the first Mountain West honor for a Utah State volleyball player, as the Aggies are in their first season in the league. It is also Orr's first-ever player of the week honor.

USU won its third match in a row and seventh in its last 10 matches, improving to 12-7 overall and 5-3 in Mountain West play.

The Aggies return home to host San Diego State on Thursday, Oct. 24 and UNLV on Saturday, Oct. 26. Both matches start at 7 p.m. at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.

Utah State volleyball tickets are available by contacting the USU Ticket Office at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum or by phone by calling 1-888-USTATE-1 or (435) 797-0305.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Utah State volleyball team wants to help by raising money for Logan Regional Hospital Foundations's Breast Cancer Services. Pledges are now being gathered for every dig the Aggies make during their six home matches in October as part of USU's "Dig for a Cure" campaign.

For each dig (a defensive move made to control a spiked ball) the Aggies are asking for a donation of $0.25. If the Aggies record 200 total digs in the six matches, a pledge of $0.25 will result in $50. Half of this donation will go to the Logan Regional Hospital Foundation to assist in Breast Cancer Services while the other half will be used to support the USU Volleyball team. Pledges can be made in any amount and flat donations are also accepted and appreciated. Pledge and donation forms will be available at the matches at the marketing/promotions table on the west concourse of the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.

Any pledge or donation received will enter the fan's name into a drawing which will take place the last home match in October, on Thursday, Oct. 31 vs. Wyoming. Prizes include: T-shirts, volleyballs and team photos. Come cheer on the Aggies during their October matches and keep track of their digs to help them "Dig for a Cure." For more information or to donate, contact USU Assistant Coach Taubi Neves at taubi.neves@usu.edu or 435-797-2063, or go to: http://bit.ly/RtaUKK.

Fans can also follow the Aggie volleyball program on twitter at twitter.com/USUVolleyball, on facebook at facebook.com/USUVolleyball, or on Instagram at instagram.com/USUVolleyball. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program at twitter.com/USUAthletics, on facebook at facebook.com/USUAthletics, or on Instagram at instagram.com/USUAthletics.