Acosta Named National Player of the Week

COLORADO -- Joaquin Acosta, a 6-5 junior outside hitter for second-ranked Brigham Young University, has been selected the AVCA/Sports Imports Division I/II National Player of the Week.

Acosta helped guide the Cougars to back-to-back victories over top-ranked Hawai' last weekend. The San Juan, Puerto Rico native averaged 3.63 kills and 1.38 blocks in leading BYU on both the offensive and defensive ends. He contributed a team-high eight kills, along with five blocks and two digs, against the Warriors in a 3-0 win on April 13. His defense at the net helped limit Hawai'i to a .086 team attack percentage during the match.

Acosta produced a season-high 21 kills to pace the Cougars to a 3-2 victory over the Warriors on April 14. He added six blocks and a .333 hitting percentage during the second match. Acosta hit at a .309 average for the week against the Warriors over the course of eight games. BYU (20-3 overall and 14-3 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) has earned the home-court advantage throughout the MPSF Tournament so long as the Cougars keep winning. BYU has produced two 20-win seasons in the last three years.

The Cougars will play host to UC Irvine on Saturday, April 21 in the first round of the MPSF Tournament. Match time is slated for 7 p.m. (MDT) in the Smith Fieldhouse.