FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COLBY EARNS AVCA NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS

LEWISTON, Maine -- Bates College junior middle blocker Amanda Colby, of Willimantic, Conn., has been named Division III National Player of the Week by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).

Colby helped the Bobcats to a 3-2 week with 67 kills (3.94 kpg), 37 digs (2.18 dpg), 19 blocks (1.12 bpg) and nine service aces (0.53 sapg) in 16 games over the course of the five matches.

After defeating in-state and New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) rivals Colby College 3-0 on Sept. 29, the Bobcats placed fourth at the Bates Invitational Oct. 2-3. In a 3-0 sweep over the University of Maine at Machias in the first round, Colby had 11 kills and no errors in 13 attacks for an .846 hitting percentage. She also had three digs, four aces and two blocks against the Clippers. In the next match against Springfield College, with a berth in the championship bracket on the line, Colby had 15 kills, 15 digs, eight blocks and an ace while hitting .429. The Bobcats defeated the Pride for the first time ever, 8-15, 15-11, 15-4, 16-14. In a 3-1 loss to Eastern Connecticut State University, Colby had 14 kills (.355 percent), 10 digs, three blocks and three aces.

Colby, a co-captain and 1997 All-NESCAC performer, was ranked second in the nation in the most recent NCAA Division III volleyball statistics with a .456 hitting percentage (124 kills and 25 errors in 217 attacks). She has helped the Bobcats to a 12-5 start and a No. 8 ranking in the most recent AVCA New England poll. It is the first time Bates has been ranked since 1995. She has been an integral part in Bates head coach Marsha Graef's 400th win, a milestone reached by only three other coaches in New England Division III history.

Colby is a 1996 graduate of Windham High School. She is the daughter of Gilbert and Sonia Colby, Willimantic, Conn.