Oct. 1, 2012

LAWRENCE, Kan. - Chalking up a double-double against the first top-25 opponent in her collegiate career earned Kansas volleyball freshman outside hitter Tiana Dockery Big 12 Conference Rookie of the Week honors, Monday afternoon.

The rookie from Richmond, Texas has earned a spot in the Jayhawk starting lineup in all but four matches this season, but Wednesday's start against No. 19 Iowa State was the most important yet.

Against a potent Cyclone offense, Dockery tied her career-high 15 digs for the third time this season. Those, along with tying for the team lead with 14 kills, accounted for her second double-double in the last three matches.

"We've asked her to step up and do a lot of different things for us," head coach Ray Bechard said. "The life of a six-rotation player can be complex, especially for a freshman. She continues to improve and make herself better in that role, which you've obviously seen in her progress over the last couple weeks."

Dockery is averaging 1.96 kills and 2.04 digs per set in her freshman campaign. This is her first career weekly Big 12 award and KU's first Big 12 Rookie of Week honor since Brianne Riley earned the same recognition on Sept. 20, 2010.

UP NEXT
Dockery and the Jayhawks travel to Morgantown, W. Va., for their inaugural match against new Big 12 member West Virginia on Wednesday. First serve is slated for 5:30 p.m. CT.

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