For the second-consecutive week, Liberty boasts the Big South Conference Choice Hotels Volleyball Player of the Week. Sophomore middle blocker Chelaine McCarty was honored with the award today by the conference office.

McCarty (Houston, Ala.), an offseason transfer from Auburn, enjoyed her best week as a Lady Flame. Her efforts, which included 34 kills, a stellar .448 hitting percentage and nine blocks, helped Liberty go 1-1 on the week.

McCarty posted new career-high kill totals in both Lady Flame matches. She put down 15 kills and came up with six blocks against James Madison on Sept. 18. The middle blocker then recorded 19 kills and hit .515 during Liberty's Big South Conference-opening victory at Radford, Sept. 22.

For the season, McCarty ranks third in the Big South with a .296 attack percentage. She is also tied for third among conference players, with 55 blocks.

Fellow sophomore Kallie Corbin (S, Beaverton, Ore.) was tabbed the Big South Player of the Week a week ago. Liberty players have actually been recognized three out of five weeks so far this season, as Karyl Bacon (Fr., OH/DS, Temecula, Calif.) was honored as the Big South New Balance Freshman of the Week on Aug. 27.

The Lady Flames are off to their best start since 1997, with a 9-6 overall mark. Liberty is also tied with Coastal Carolina and Winthrop atop the Big South standings at 1-0.

Liberty will embark upon a key conference road trip Friday, as the Lady Flames play at High Point at 7 p.m. On Saturday, Liberty will wrap up a three-match conference road swing with a 2 p.m. match at five-time defending Big South champion Winthrop.