Kansas' Ainise Havili named AVCA National Player of the Week

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The NCAA leader in assists, University of Kansas sophomore setter Ainise Havili, was recognized as the Sports Imports/AVCA National Player of the Week on Tuesday. She becomes the fourth Jayhawk to win the national award, given to the top player in NCAA Division I volleyball each week during the season.

Last week, Havili guided KU's high-octane offense to a .326 hitting percentage during the Jayhawks' 16th and 17th consecutive victories – continuing the longest winning streak in program history. In sweeps over Texas Tech and Iowa State, Havili averaged a Big 12-leading 12.3 assists per set, totaled four aces, and registered six kills on 14 errorless swings.

The Fort Worth, Texas, native leads the nation in assists per set (12.5), while quarterbacking a KU offense that also leads the nation in kills per set (15.4) and hitting percentage (.323).

Havili is a two-time Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week this season on Sept. 21 and Oct. 12.

Former Jayhawks who have also been named AVCA Players of the Week include Josi Lima (Sept. 19, 2005), Karina Garlington (Nov. 11, 2008), and Caroline Jarmoc (Oct. 23, 2012).

No. 9 Kansas (17-0, 5-0 Big 12) returns to action on the road against Baylor on Wednesday at 7 p.m. CT.

Havili's 2015 Honors:

• Sports Imports/AVCA Player of the Week – Oct. 13
• Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week - Sept. 21, Oct. 12
• Arkansas Invitational MVP
• Pistol Pete's Showdown All-Tournament Team
• Preseason All-Big 12

KU's All-Time Sports Imports/AVCA Players of the Week:

• Josi Lima – Sept. 19, 2005
• Karina Garlington – Nov. 11, 2008
• Caroline Jarmoc – Oct. 23, 2012
• Ainise Havili – Oct. 13, 2015