FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

Sept. 9, 2009 - North Central College volleyball player Stephanie Ryding has been named the first College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Defensive Player of the Week for the 2009 season.

Ryding, the Cardinals' libero, received this week's award after leading North Central to a perfect 6-0 record in its first week of competition. She totaled a team-high 109 digs, recording 30 in a 3-1 win over Concordia University-Chicago at the Cardinal Quad. She also finished the week with 12 service aces, including six in a 3-0 win over North Central University (Minn.) at the Wisconsin Lutheran College Tournament.

Ryding was named the CCIW's Defensive Player of the Week three times last season, when she was named to the All-CCIW First Team and the All-CCIW Tournament Team. She ranks second in school history in career digs (2,113) and fifth in service aces (127).

The Cardinals travel to Chicago on Friday and Saturday to participate in the North Park University Tournament.