Sept. 15, 2008

LOGAN, Utah - Utah State volleyball player Melissa Osterloh has been named the America First Credit Union Utah State Student-Athlete of the Week for the period ending on Sunday, Sept. 14, it was announced on Monday. The award is voted on by a state-wide media panel.

Overall, it is the second time in her career that Osterloh has been named Utah State's Athlete of the Week.

Osterloh, a 5-10 senior outside hitter from Sandy, Utah (Skyline HS) was named to the 2008 Utah Classic all-tournament team as she helped Utah State finish in a tie for third-place with a 1-2 record. USU's lone win during the weekend came against No. 15 Purdue in five sets as Osterloh recorded 18 kills, six digs, five block assists and two service aces in the match. In the tournament, Osterloh averaged 3.17 kills, 1.25 digs and 1.17 blocks per set.

Thus far this year, Osterloh is averaging 4.36 points, 3.67 kills, 1.81 digs and 0.36 service aces per set, and ranks third in the WAC in both points and service aces per set, and is fourth in the conference in kills per set.

Utah State, who is 1-9 thus far this year, returns to action on Tuesday, Sept. 16 when it hosts Utah Valley at 7 p.m. in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. The Aggies will then begin WAC play at San Jose State on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. (MT).

Nominees from other sports included:
FOOTBALL - Sophomore cornerback Geno Odong (Las Vegas, Nev.) had two fumble recoveries in Utah State's 58-10 loss to 22nd-ranked Utah. The first fumble recoverty set up USU's opening-quarter TD and gave the Aggies their first lead this season. In the third quarter, Odong recovered another botched Utah punt return.

MEN'S TENNIS - Freshman Jordan Barlow (Brigham City, Utah) made it to the consolation finals in singles play at the Utah Fall Tennis Classic last weekend in Provo. After a first round bye, Barlow went on to notch wins in round two and round three of the consolation bracket. He then went head-to-head with teammate Matt Braithwaite and won, 6-1, 7-5, in the semifinals before withdrawing in the finals.

SOCCER - Sophomore striker Lauren Hansen (Camano Island, Wash.) scored the game-tying goal in Utah State's 2-1 win against UTEP on Sunday. Hansen came off the bench to get the Aggies on the scoreboard in the first period and later added an assist as junior Erin Salmon scored the game-winning goal. For the week, Hansen had three shots on goal, including one in USU's 2-0 loss at Utah.

2008-09 Utah State Athlete of the Week Winners
Sept. 1 - Jessie Chugg, Cross Country
Sept. 8 - Shantel Flanary, Soccer
Sept. 15 - Melissa Osterloh, Volleyball