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Thursday, March 28
The Indiana Daily Student

sports volleyball

IU volleyball player earns Big Ten honor

IU volleyball junior middle blocker Awele Nwaeze was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, the conference announced Monday.

Nwaeze recorded 18 blocks over two matches this weekend against Maryland and Rutgers. The Hoosiers (12-4, 3-1) defeated the Terrapins 3-1 and the Scarlet Knights 3-0.

IU improved to 3-1 in conference play and is off to its best Big Ten start in 16 years.

Against Maryland on Friday, Nwaeze totaled nine blocks. She had another nine blocks, including three solo blocks, in a win over Rutgers on Sunday.

“I think Awele has really embraced her middle blocking responsibility,” IU Coach Sherry Dunbar-Kruzan said. “She is controlling the net and allowing our defense to do more, which creates more opportunities for our offense.

“Those are some big time numbers in the best conference in the country. I’m proud of her and the work she has put in and her role is ?contributing greatly to our success.”

IU plays Purdue on Wednesday, then hosts Purdue on Saturday at 7 p.m. in ?University Gym.

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