Anna Batrus, Penn State Altoona, Women's Volleyball (Defensive)

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: PS-Altoona L Anna Batrus anchored the Lions' defense this past weekend during the Bearcat Challenge at St. Vincent College, after which she was named to the All-Tournament team. In matches against Gallaudet, St. Vincent, Westminster, and Franciscan, she totaled 88 digs, averaging 5.18 digs per set.

BEST OF THE REST: La Roche DS Mackenzie Kerkan had a fantastic start to the 2023 season, as she totaled 48 digs over 10 sets for a 4.80 average, while having a perfect receiving percentage, successfully receiving all 46 opportunities, while also chipping in seven assists, six service aces and three kills...PS-Behrend OH Sara Nobach averaged 4.67 digs in a 3-0 week for the Lions, as she tallied two 20+ dig matches, while adding six aces and five assists, she registered a season-best 22 digs in a 3-1 win over Widener...Hilbert L Natalie Ruhlmann dominated on the defensive side for the Hawks notching 61 digs, 19 assists, and five aces in Hilbert's twp wins and loss over the weekend...Alfred State L Nayomie Ferrer Santiago led the Pioneers with 27 assists and 13 digs, as she assisted 28 times with 20 digs to add to the board on Saturday, she then continued to carry the Pioneers in assists, finishing in game one with 33 to go with her 11 digs...Carlow DS Claire Yezovich had 59 digs to help lift Carlow to its second consecutive USCAA Tip-Off Tournament championship at Penn State Beaver, as the Celtics went 4-0 on the weekend...Mount Aloysius L Kadence Della Valle had a solid opening weekend, as she registered a team-high 57 digs over the first four contests, including a career-high 29 digs in the team's loss to Alma, averaging just over four digs per set...Pitt-Bradford DS Kayla Maslwski totaled 34 digs and four assists over three matches this past weekend.