VJ Schmidt (Westmont) was named Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Week, and RyAnn Spann (Bethalto) was named GLVC Pitcher of the Week for the week ending March 23.
         It is the second consecutive week the Cougars have swept the awards. SIUE outfielder Jenny Esker (Steeleville) and pitcher Missy Koenig (Mapleton) were the previous selections.
         Schmidt hit .538 in four games last week. She totaled seven hits that included one home run and two doubles. She scored four runs and posted two RBIs.
         "VJ had a great week of play," said Coach Sandy Montgomery. "She played great offensively and played good defense as well."
         Spann picked up victories over Southern Indiana and Kentucky Wesleyan last weekend as well as adding a save against USI. Spann, now 8-2 on the season, struck out 15, walked four and allowed six hits and one earned run for a 0.54 ERA.
         "RyAnn is coming around and doing what she is capable of doing," Montgomery said. "I expect here to get better and better each week."
         SIUE, now 15-5 and 4-0 in the GLVC, plays host to Bellarmine and Northern Kentucky on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Both games are scheduled doubleheaders and will start at noon at Cougar Field.
                  -siue cougars-