SPRINGFIELD -- Missouri State freshman outside hitter Christine McCartney has been named this week’s Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Week in volleyball, the league office announced Monday.

    McCartney led Missouri State with 36 kills and 3.27 per set as the Bears went 2-1 on the weekend. The Arlington, Texas, native hit .286 in the win over Saint Louis Friday before leading the Bears in kills in each of the next two matches, piling up 33 total in two Saturday contests.

    McCartney logged a double-double with 17 kills and 15 digs in MSU’s win over Utah, adding three blocks. Saturday night versus Oklahoma, McCartney led all players with 16 kills while also recording eight digs, five blocks and an ace.

    McCartney and the 8-2 Bears open MVC play Friday at 17th-ranked and preseason favorite UNI (8-2). The 7 p.m. match will be televised live locally on Mediacom cable channel 22.