XU Gold Nuggets' Kirk chosen GCAC Player of the Week

MOIRA KIRK

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Moira Kirk is the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week in women's volleyball for Oct. 8-14. It's the first time this season and the second time in two years that she's won this award.

Kirk, a 5-foot-9 sophomore middle blocker from Dallas and a graduate of Bishop Lynch High School, totaled 10 kills, five blocks, three digs and an ace in two matches, including the Gold Nuggets' first-ever three-set sweep of city and GCAC rival Dillard. Kirk has recorded at least one block in her last 37 matches and 45 of 47 in her career.

"Front row or back, Moira can do it all," XU coach Christabell Hamilton said. "She has an effective jump floater serve that can take any team out of system. She is never satisfied with her performance. When she is in the front row, she is a big wall that seals every seam in the block. She is the smartest hitter on the team and needs to be fed the ball more often. I would leave her in the game if I knew it wouldn't kill her legs by the third set. It's too much work to be in the middle alone and then have to transition to the back row and play some defense. Moira does not get very much glory because she does not

get enough sets. But she is definitely what keeps this team in the game almost all the time."

Kirk and two teammates have won a combined four GCAC player awards this season. Taylor Reuther has two, and Chinedu Echebelem has one.
    

Xavier (12-5) will play Friday at 2 p.m. against Union (Tenn.) and at 6 p.m. against city rival Loyola in the Hampton Inn Wolf Pack Classic at The Den. Xavier's next home match will start at 7 p.m. Oct. 25 against GCAC opponent Tougaloo at The Barn.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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