Bradley University Athletics

Serena Sparks Named MVC Defensive Player Of The Week

Volleyball 2/16/2021 2:31:00 PM

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Sophomore libero/defensive specialist Serena Sparks (Kansas City, Kan./Bishop Miege) has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week according to an announcement by the league office Tuesday afternoon.

Sparks headlined a defensive effort that averaged an impressive 27.00 digs per set in the weekend sweep of Indiana State and held the Sycamores to a .118 attack percentage by averaging a team-best 7.71 digs per set along with posting a perfect 19-for-19 on serve receives in the two matches.

She tallied a career-best 34 digs in Sunday's four-set win over Indiana State, matching the 10th-best single match total in Bradley history and tying the fifth-highest dig total in a four-set match in BU history. She also added six assists and an ace in the win.

Sparks followed that up with 20 digs and five assists in a three-set win Monday in what was Bradley's first three-set victory in the series since 2012. She helped Bradley collect 84 digs in the victory, which is the third-best dig total in a three-set match in the country this season and one short of tying the school record for digs in a three-setter.

The MVC Defensive Player of the Week honor is the first for Sparks and she is the sixth different Brave to earn the award.

Sparks and the Braves are back in action this weekend, opening a two-game series at Evansville with a 6 p.m. match Sunday night.

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Players Mentioned

#1 Serena Sparks: L/DS; 5' 2"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#1 Serena Sparks
: 5' 2"; Sophomore
: L/DS

Serena Sparks Named MVC Defensive Player Of The Week

Players Mentioned

#1 Serena Sparks

Players Mentioned

#1 Serena Sparks