After a start to the Big Ten season that was more frustrating than anything, the last week brought the women’s basketball team two home wins against conference opponents, and now an award for the second youngest player on the team. Freshman Kionna Kellogg, making just her second and third starts of the year, was honored as the Big Ten Freshman of the Week for her solid play in the Gopher’s two wins.

Kellogg, a 2010 Mcdonald’s All-American nominee from Ames, Iowa, said that her new starting role a part of what has her playing so well. “Six games ago, getting in the game and playing my defense is what has built my confidence. Getting the start was a plus,” Kellogg said.

“She’s definitely not playing like a freshman right now,” head coach Pam Borton said after the team’s 60-50 victory over Michigan on Sunday, in which Kellogg grabbed 13 rebounds to go along with eight points on 4-6 shooting. Just three days earlier, she grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds, eight of them offensive against a Northwestern team that featured All-Big Ten Center Amy Jaeschke, currently tied for third in the conference in rebounding.

According to the media release for the award, Kellogg is the first Gopher with back to back double digit rebound games since Ashley Ellis-Milan did it over two years ago.