Settlemier Named National, Big 12 Player of the Week

April 25, 2006

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Kansas senior Serena Settlemier was named both Co-National Collegiate Player of the Week by USA Softball and Big 12 Conference Player of the Week, the league offices announced Tuesday. Settlemier (Kelso, Wash.) shares the national honor with Oregon State’s Cambria Miranda (Camarillo, Calif.).

The national award is Settlemier’s first of her career while the Big 12 recognition is the fourth league weekly accolade of her career and second of the season.

Settlemier totaled 15 strikeouts and posted a 0.44 ERA in 16 innings last week to improve her overall record to 15-5. She held opposing hitters to a .115 batting average and surrendered just one run in three appearances. She was also a force offensively, totaling a team-high eight hits and 12 RBI for a .615 batting average. In five games, she hit three home runs, two of which were grand slams, for a 1.462 slugging percentage and 19 total bases.

Against Missouri on Wednesday, Settlemier went 3-for-3 and notched a grand slam to give KU the 5-1 win. She then went 4-for-7 with eight RBI in a doubleheader against Creighton in which she slammed her sixth grand slam of the season. In the circle she was equally impressive, going 3-0 on the week. On Sunday against the second-ranked Longhorns, Settlemier struck out four and held Texas scoreless through the first five innings to secure the 1-0 upset.

“I am very honored to receive such an extraordinary award. I am so proud to be a Jayhawk,” Settlemier said. “My team has been playing very well and I could not have done this without them behind me.”

“This is an incredible honor for both Serena and our team. Her performance this season has been remarkable and last week, she did some pretty incredible things,” Kansas head coach Tracy Bunge remarked. “She has had to battle through some pretty difficult injuries, including one to her pitching arm. She has had to persevere through a lot of adversity and that makes this honor all the more special.”

After enjoying a seven-game home stretch, Kansas softball (27-21, 6-7 Big 12) begins a three-game road stint Wednesday with a Big 12 contest at #16 Nebraska. First pitch at Bowlin Stadium is set for 6 p.m.

-KU-