Student-Athlete of the Week presented by GEICO Sept. 15, 2008

Volleyball's Rubena Sukaj has been named the American University Student-Athlete of the Week presented by GEICO, Department of Athletics and Recreation officials announced Monday. Sukaj set Patriot League career records for kills and aces over the weekend while helping AU to a 2-1 record in the Harvard Invitational.

On Friday, Sukaj became the PL's career kills leader as she scored 14 kills and hit .500 to lead AU past Harvard, 3-0. The senior also tallied 10 digs in the match for her third double-double of the season. Against No. 22 Long Beach State Saturday morning, Sukaj and the Eagles pushed the 49ers to five sets and lost in heartbreaking fashion in the fifth, 15-13. Sukaj finished the match with 21 kills and 10 digs for her fourth double-double. In the weekend finale Saturday afternoon, Sukaj registered 15 kills, two aces and five digs to push AU past Dartmouth, 3-0. On her second ace of the match Sukaj became the PL's all-time leader in aces. Sukaj now has 1,756 career kills and 256 career aces.