MUNCIE, Ind. - - After helping lead the Cardinals to one of the most dominating defensive performances in program history, Ball State women's volleyball junior libero Alyssa Rio (Wayne, Ill./St. Francis H.S.) has been named the Mid-American Conference West Division Defensive Player of the Week.

   "It is great to see Alyssa performing so well after coming back from a serious injury in our season-opening match," said head coach Dave Boos. "She is at the top of her game and is gaining confidence with every match.  She is a leader for this team, and with her getting back to top form, our defensive play and passing continues to get better."

   In last Sunday's three-set win over Central Michigan, Rio collected a match-high 19 digs to help limit the CMU attack to a season-low -.133 (21-36-113) hitting percentage. The mark was the lowest for a BSU opponent in the rally-scoring era, while the Chippewas -.412 (2-16-34) hitting percentage in the final set was the lowest single-set output for an opponent since rally scoring began.

   Rio opened the week with a match-best and season-high 34 digs versus Eastern Michigan. The 34 digs were the most for a BSU player since Rio scored 34 in the Nov. 1, 2007 match versus Toledo.

   Overall, Rio collected a team-best 53 digs in the two matches for a 6.62 digs-per-set average. In addition, she climbed to fourth in program history with 1,365 career digs.

   Rio, who missed 12 matches after suffering an injury in the season-opener versus Purdue, entered the week ranked second on the team with a 2.94 digs-per-set average, and after last week, is now the team-leader with a 3.47 average.

   Rio is the first Ball State player to earn the MAC's top weekly defensive honor this season. Junior Charde' Phillips (Elyria, Ohio/Elyria H.S.) and sophomore Kelsey Brandl (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville H.S.) picked up MAC Offensive Player of the Week accolades Sept. 8 and Oct. 26, respectively.

   The Ball State women's volleyball team returns to action Thursday, when it hosts Toledo at 7 p.m. in a match that will be televised on the Ball State Sports Network.