Aug. 28, 2006

ARLINGTON, Texas - Senior libero Ashley Smith was named the Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Week for the week of Aug. 28, the league announced Monday. Smith joins Offensive Player of the Week winner Lawrencia Brown of Texas State as the first recipients of these honors this season.

Smith (Alvin, Texas) was honored after 7.00 digs a game in three matches at the Asics/Delaware Invitational last weekend. Smith, the only senior, led the team in digs in all three matches in helping the team to three-game victories over Seton Hall and Marist and a four-game loss to Delaware.

In the opener, Smith posted 25 digs, and added two kills and two service aces. Against MC, Smith recorded 19 digs to go along with two more service aces. She closed out the weekend with a season-best 26 digs against the Fightin' Blue Hens.

Smith entered her senior campaign as the 13th player in school history to eclipse the 1,000-dig plateau. She currently has 1,128 digs and needs 148 more to move into the top 10. She needs 191 more digs to pass older sister, Caley, on the career digs list.

The Mavericks open their 2006 home season on Aug. 29 as they play host to local-rival TCU. First serve is set for 7 p.m. at Texas Hall with live audio and stats available on the official athletics website www.utamavs.com.