Oct. 31, 2007

OREUM, UT - NJIT sophomore libero Sabrina Baby is the national NCAA Division I Independent Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week, award coordinator Clint Burgi of Utah Valley announced.

Providence setter Sara Sheehan was named Division I Independent Player of the Week as she led her team to a 2-1 record at last week's NJIT Halloween Classic. She tallied 157 assists and 38 digs, recording a double-double in all three matches.

Baby was honored for her standout play leading the Highlanders to a perfect 3-0 week to win the Halloween Classic hosted at NJIT.

In a 3-2 win over Providence which may have been the most impressive women's volleyball win by the Highlanders since they began Division I competition at the start of the 2006. Baby had her usual superb defensive floor game, coming up with 38 digs--three short of her school Division I-record 41, set this season vs. Lafayette on September 11. She also added eight service aces, two which came at the end of the match to secure the win.

Against Howard in a five-set 3-2 win, Baby's 40 digs led all players. Her total was one shy of her NJIT Division I-record 41 digs set earlier this season against Lafayette. Baby's two-match dig total in the Halloween Classic is 78.

On the final day of the Halloween Classic, the Highlanders came out on top 3-2 against Sacred Heart. Baby led the defensive floor setting a new individual match school Division I record, with 42 digs. She surpassed her own record of 41, set this season in September and she finished the three-match, 15-game tournament with 120 digs (8 per game) and 12 service aces.

NJIT plays its next three matches on the road, beginning with a Wednesday visit to powerful American University in Washington, DC.