Updated August 11, 2006

2005: Saw action in 19 matches, playing in 46 games • averaged 1.57 assists per game and 0.59 digs per game • had a season-high 18 assists at San Diego State (9/3).

2004: Played in 27 matches, starting two and appearing in 87 games • second on the team in assists (98) and assists per game (1.13) • recorded career-highs with 12 digs and two block assists against Georgetown (9/3) • also posted career-high 28 assists versus Dayton (9/25) • finished season with 140 digs and 12 services aces.

2003: Played in all 30 matches and 96 games • finished with 258 assists and 2.69 assists per game, both second on the team • had 17 assists and four digs in her collegiate debut vs. Austin Peay (8/29) • set a season-high with 25 assists vs. Drake (11/21) • had double figure assists in 15 matches • had 14 assists and a career-high 11 digs vs. Evansville (10/18) for her first double-double • added 10 digs vs. Iowa (8/30) • collected a career-high four aces vs. Evansville (11/13) • added 22 aces (4th) and 131 digs (6th) • finished the season with 13 kills and a .233 hitting percentage in 30 attempts.

Minneapolis South High School: Named all-conference all four years • team MVP as a junior and senior • had 382 assists, 120 aces and 80 kills as a senior • led her team to conference titles her final three years and a runner-up finish as a freshman • led the Minneapolis Metro area in aces (120) as a senior • team advanced to the second round of regions as a freshman and sophomore and to the region quarterfinals as a junior and senior • team captain her final two years • won the coaches award for hard work, dedication and attitude as a sophomore • won team spirit award her first two years • named best Offensive Player, Most Inspirational Player, Best Server and Best Setter as a senior • team was 63-26-2 her four years.

Personal: Full name is Monica Jo Laird • Majoring in elementary education and english, with a 3.85 GPA • Named to the Dean's List all six semesters at SIU • Spent time as a tutor for inner-city middle school kids • Played club volleyball for the Northern Lights Juniors and qualified for the United States Junior Olympic Nationals seven straight years • Born on September 27, 1984 in Minneapolis, Minn. • Has three sisters, Sara, Nora and Sophie • Daughter of Linda Laird & Gene McBride and Kelly Laird & Nancy Brainard