a Larson (Fargo, N.D.) also shined defensively, tally

Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk has emerged as one of the Premier Leagues standout defenders - and the stats support his growing reputation. The 24-year-old started his career at Dutch side Willem II, before moving to FC Groningen on a free transfer in 2010 and then heading to Scotland in 2013 to join Celtic for £2.5m - enjoying two successful, title-winning seasons with the Scottish champions.Southampton manager and fellow countryman Ronald Koeman lured Van Dijk to the English south coast with a £13m move in September 2015, having failed to sign Toby Alderweireld on a permanent transfer. Van Dijk took little time to adapt to the English game and has become one of the top-performing defenders in his inaugural Premier League season, consistently making the Sky Sports Power Rankings top 10 and currently sitting 10th in the season rankings. But what are the stats behind his success? Southampton currently sit seventh in the Premier League table and are real contenders for European qualification come May. Van Dijk has played the full 90 minutes of 27 consecutive league games since his transfer from Celtic, helping the Saints keep 10 clean sheets.The stats suggest the Dutchman excels in all areas of defence: he made more clearances, interceptions and blocks, won more duels and aerial battles, completed more passes and scored more goals per 90 minutes than the league defender average this term.His six-foot, three-inch frame has helped him win more than five aerials per game on average - three more than the league average. Thats more than any other defender. He has also won nearly eight duels per game, compared to the league average of just over five. Virgil van Dijk has scored three Premier League goals The Netherlands international also provides an attacking threat, scoring three goals for Ronald Koemans men this season. That makes him the leagues joint-second top-scoring defender, behind Scott Danns five goals for Crystal Palace. Van Dijk will be tasked with nullifying league leaders Leicester on Super Sunday, and besides shutting out Foxes duo Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, the Dutchman will also be keen to impose an attacking threat from set pieces. Watch Leicester v Southamption live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 12.30pm on Super Sunday Also See: Koeman pays tribute to Cruyff WATCH: Koemans touchline sprint Botellas Niño Hydro Flask . "Were just throwing s--- at the wall hoping something sticks," said Tortorella about the possible line combinations for Fridays game against Columbus. The Canucks have lost five straight games and six of their last seven, leaving them in a logjam in the Pacific Division, currently sitting fifth - good for ninth in the Western Conference. Hydro Flask Boca Ancha . He just needed to be his best twisting, turning acrobatic self. "I didnt need to be anybody else, I just needed to be myself and be aggressive," said Burks, who scored a career-high 34 points to spark the Utah Jazz to a 118-103 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Monday night. http://www.botellashydroflask.es/hydro-flask-24-oz.html . Louis Cardinals. Victorino is batting sixth and playing right field after missing two games because of back tightness. Botellas Hydro Flask .Y. - Free agent outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, fresh off winning the World Series with Boston, reached agreement with the rival New York Yankees on a seven-year contract worth about $153 million, a person familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday night. Hydro Flask 21 Oz . -- Peyton Manning will have all of his wide receivers available for the first time in a month when the Denver Broncos begin their playoff run Jan. COLUMBIA, Mo.-- Mizzou Volleyball (17-3, 8-0 SEC) returned to its sweeping ways on Wednesday evening, defeating LSU, 3-0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-19). The Tigers convincing victory pushed their winning streak to 12 consecutive matches.Mizzou displayed stellar defense all night long, as it matched its season high with 15.0 total blocks. The Tigers strong play at the net also led to 27 LSU attack errors (.000 hitting). Sophomore Alyssa Munlyn (Suwanee, Ga.) paced Mizzou in individual blocking, as her nine total blocks set a new season high.Munlyn was one of five Tigers to record multiple total blocks Wednesday night. Redshirt junior Kira Larson (Fargo, N.D.) also shined defensively, tallying five total blocksOffensively, senior Carly Kan (Honolulu) recorded a team high 12 kills on .346 hitting. Kan has now tallied double-digit kills 13 times this year, including six occurrences in Southeastern Conference action.ddddddddddddThe Tiger outside hitter surpassed 1,500 career kills following her standout match against LSU. Kans 1,510 career kills ranks 4th-most in Mizzou Volleyball history.Senior Emily Thater (Springfield, Mo.) produced four total blocks, giving her 381 career total blocks in Tiger black and gold. She now ranks 5th in all-time total blocks in program history.TOP TIGERS? Kan: 12 kills on .346 hitting, 1,500th career kill? Munlyn: 7 kills on .455 hitting, season high 9 total blocksUP NEXTMizzou closes its two-match homestand on Sunday, Oct. 23, against Kentucky. First serve at the Hearnes Center is scheduled for 1 p.m. (CT). The Tigers and Wildcats will compete live on SEC Network. ' ' '