Rock Hill, S.C.----Wingate University junior middle blocker Grace Krauser (Louisville, Ky.) has been named the South Atlantic Conference volleyball Player of the Week, league officials announced Monday afternoon. Krauser wins the award for the first time in her career.
 
The Elite 88™ award winner for the 2010 NCAA Division II women’s volleyball championship, Krauser helped lead the number 21 Bulldogs to a 4-0 opening week. She averaged 3.20 kills per set on the week, while hitting an impressive .338. Krauser added five digs, five blocks and three aces. She started the week with eight kills and a .333 hitting percentage against 2010 NCAA Tournament participant Lees-McRae. Krauser had a team-best 10 kills in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Lander, hitting .368. She added four digs, three blocks and three aces for the match.
 
Krauser had her best match in Wingate’s biggest contest, notching 14 kills against 2009 NCAA Final Four participant Flagler College. She hit .324 on the match, as the Bulldogs won the rematch of the last two NCAA Southeast Regional championship contests. With Wingate trailing 24-23 in the fourth set against the Saints, Krauser notched a huge kill, followed by a block to put the ‘Dogs on top 25-24. Wingate would go on to win the set 30-28 and win the match 3-1.
 
Krauser and the Bulldogs have now won 27 consecutive regular season matches. Wingate is now 135-8 overall since the start of the 2007 season, leading the nation in winning percentage during this span. The Bulldogs will return to action this weekend, opening conference play Friday night at Carson-Newman College. Wingate will travel to Lincoln Memorial University Saturday afternoon. The ‘Dogs will put their league-record 64-match SAC winning streak on the line this weekend.
 
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a comprehensive university with more than 2,500 students on three campuses in Wingate, Matthews and Hendersonville, N.C. The university offers 34 undergraduate majors, 37 minors and career concentrations, numerous pre-professional programs, graduate degrees in business, accounting, physician assistant studies and sports administration and doctorates in pharmacy and education.
 
Wingate students gain the tools and support they need to excel in academics and apply that learning toward an extraordinary career and life. The campus community offers in-class learning, out-of-class experiences, strong mentors, a competitive yet caring environment and rewarding community service opportunities for a complete educational experience.
 
Bulldog student-athletes compete in 19 NCAA Division II sports. Wingate University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past five years.
 
Wingate University is ranked number three among NCAA Division II Academic All-America® producing schools in the 2000’s with 39 honorees during this millennium. Only Pittsburg State (Kan.) University and Truman State (Mo.) University have produced more Academic All-America® honorees during this time period. Wingate’s 48 Academic All-America® honorees (lifetime) is tops among all SAC schools.
 
WINGATE SPORTS WEEKLY
 
The Wingate University Bulldog Club sponsors Wingate Sports Weekly each Wednesday at Hill Top Bistro in Monroe (602 E. Roosevelt Blvd.). The Dutch treat lunch begins at 12 noon. The gatherings will give Bulldog fans an opportunity to interact with Wingate coaches and student-athletes. Wingate Sports Weekly replaces Wake Up with Wingate for the 2011-12 academic year.
 
BULLDOG CLUB CLAM BAKE SLATED FOR NOV. 4
 
The Wingate University Bulldog Club is hosting its inaugural Clam Bake at the University Lake Friday, Nov. 4 at 4 p.m. Everyone is welcome as the University celebrates Homecoming weekend. On the same day, the 36th annual Bill Connell Memorial Golf Tournament will be contested at Eagle Chase Golf Club. The shotgun start is slated for 9 a.m. Both the Clam Bake and the BCMGT benefit deserving student-athletes.
 
(Wingate University assistant sports information director Hugh Patton wrote this article. Patton is a 2006 Wingate graduate with a B.A. degree in Communication Studies.)