Gerlach's Records Athlete of Week

Monique Gerlach became just the fourth Buffalo in CU volleyball history to reach the 1,000-kill mark during her junior year earning herself Athlete of the Week honors. Gerlach ties Sarah Lodge as the fastest to reach the 1,000 kill milestone, as both did so in their in their 77th match in a CU uniform.

Gerlach had 13 kills and hit .257 on the week with six blocks against Missouri. Gerlach has hit in double-figures in 21 of 26 contests so far this season. She recorded her fourth double-double of the season against the Tigers as she snagged 10 digs for the Buffs.

The Buffs are now 13-13 overall and 7-9 in the Big 12 Conference after falling to Missouri 1-3 Wednesday in Columbia. The Buffs will face Texas Tech on Wednesday, and travel to Norman to play Oklahoma on Saturday.

Others nominated for this week's award were Bobby Purify (football), Billy Nelson (Men's Cross Country), and Sara Gorton (Women's Cross Country).

FOOTBALL: Bobby Purify, Junior, Colorado Springs, Colo. Junior running back Bobby Purify had his second consecutive 100-yard game, rushing for a total of 174 yards on 20 carries in the Buffs 41-27victory over the Iowa State Cyclones last Saturday. Purify also racked up 51 yards receiving on five catches, giving him a single- game career high 255 all-purpose yards. Purify now has 677 yards on the season and is 20th on CU's all-time rushing list.

MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY: Billy Nelson, Freshman, Bakersfield, Calif. Nelson, the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, matched his conference efforts at the NCAA Mountain Region Championships Saturday as the top finishing freshman in the national qualifying race, 20th overall, and crossing the finish as CU's No. 3 finisher behind Torri.

WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY: Sara Gorton, Sophomore, Phoenix, Ariz. After leading the front pack with teammate Molly Austin through the first 5,500-m of the NCAA Mountain Region Championships 6k course, Gorton finished fourth, as CU's top runner. It was her second-best career effort in the national qualifying race, as she was third in this race as a freshman.

-Brendan Cavanaugh, Athletic Media Relations, Student Assistant