Rutledge, Cooper earn SEC honors

• Advocate news services
• Published: Nov 3, 2009 - Page: 7C

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The Southeastern Conference on Monday named LSU soccer senior All-American Malorie Rutledge as its offensive player of the week.

Rutledge figured in all four goals, including scoring the game-winner in the 30th minute, Friday in a 4-1 win over Arkansas that gave LSU its third-straight SEC Western Division championship.

Rutledge had the third three-assist game of her career. She has 11 assists this season.

Rutledge, who leads LSU with nine goals and was the SEC Offensive Player of the Year last year, on Friday set an LSU career record for points scored, now with 93.

For her performance, Rutledge has also been named to the TopDrawerSoccer.com Women’s Team of the Week.

LSU (12-4-3, 8-2-1 SEC) is the No. 2 seed in the SEC tournament and will face No. 7 seed Vanderbilt in the first round at noon Wednesday.

Volleyball

SEC HONORS COOPER: The SEC on Monday named middle blocker Brittnee Cooper as its SEC Offensive Player of the Week.

Cooper, with her third SEC weekly award of the season and fourth of her career, had 31 kills on a .600 hitting percentage as the Tigers (18-5, 12-2 SEC) defeated Georgia and Auburn. She produced four or more kills in six of her seven sets played en route to 4.43 per set average.

“We’re excited that we were able to get Brittnee back into her offensive rhythm last weekend,” coach Fran Flory said. “She and Sam Dabbs worked extremely hard on their tempo and timing last week in practice. Our ball control also played a huge part in Brittnee earning this award and created highly successful opportunities for her.”

LSU also moved up one spot to No. 19 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association poll Monday.

LSU returns to action and starts a four-match road swing at 7 p.m. Friday at Ole Miss.

Track and field