Benson named conference’s top defender for the week

Senior middle blocker Ashley Benson was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Monday.

Benson’s 23 total blocks in the Hoosiers’ weekend matches against Wisconsin and then-No. 8 Illinois earned the 2009 Third Team All-America selection her fourth weekly conference award.

Benson set a school record for blocks in a three-set affair with 13 rejections in IU’s sweep of the Badgers on Friday. The senior then recorded 10 blocks in a losing effort against the Fighting Illini.