Nov. 3, 2003

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - UC Santa Barbara junior setter Mari Bell has been named the Big West Conference Women's Volleyball Player of the Week, the league announced Monday.

This is not only Bell's first career player of the week honor, but also the first in 2003 for a member of the Gauchos, who are currently ranked 19th nationally and hold a two-match lead in the Big West standings. The Manhattan Beach, Calif., native led UCSB to a pair of conference victories last week in the Thunderdome over Cal State Northridge and Pacific, extending the team's current winning streak to a season-high five matches.

Bell averaged 13.86 assists and 3.00 digs per game last week. After amassing a match-high 44 assists vs. Northridge, she dished off 53 helpers against the Tigers and also equaled her personal best of 15 digs for her eighth double-double of the season. Bell's three service aces in the win over UOP also established a new career high.

The Gauchos make their final road trip of the regular season this week for conference matches at Idaho and Utah State.