Feb. 12, 2013

USC senior Danielle Lao was a force to reckon with for the Trojans at the top of the lineup over the weekend, and has consequently picked up her first career selection as Pac-12 Player of the Week.

Lao took down two top-10 opponents in singles play at the ITA National Team Indoor Championships, opening the tournament with a bigtime upset of Virginia's #4 Julia Elbaba in straight sets. Ranked #10 in the nation, Lao beat North Carolina's #28 Zoe De Bruycker in straight sets as well the next day, and then capped off the weekend with yet another straight-set upset in a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Cal's #7 Zsofi Susanyi to clinch USC's win over the Bears. In doubles, Lao went 2-1 with teammate Giuliana Olmos, including a clinching win over UNC's ranked pair. Lao's winning run keeps the senior undefeated in dual-match singles play and with a 15-3 overall record in singles this season.

Lao is the third Trojan to be named Pac-12 Women's Player of the Week this season, following up wins by Sabrina Santamaria and Giuliana Olmos. The Women of Troy return to action next week with a Feb. 20 match against San Diego State at 1:30 p.m. at Marks Stadium.