Wong-Orantes Earns Second B1G Defensive Award

Nebraska junior libero Justine Wong-Orantes was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for the second time in three weeks, the conference office announced on Monday.

Wong-Orantes averaged 7.17 digs per set in 3-0 wins at Northwestern and Illinois. She leads the Big Ten with 5.10 digs per set in conference play. Her 27 digs against Illinois were a career-high in a three-set match.

The Cypress, Calif., native was perfect on 30 reception attempts on the weekend. Her performance prompted Illinois coach Kevin Hambly to label her the best libero in the Big Ten following the match. 

For the season, Wong-Orantes is averaging 4.59 digs per set, the most since Kayla Banwarth's 4.81 in 2010. 

Michigan State won Big Ten Player (Alyssa Garvelink) and Setter of the seek (Rachel Minarick).

Michigan's Carly Skjodt won Big Ten Freshman of the Week, despite Husker freshman Mikaela Foecke serving 10 aces on the road trip and leading the team with 21 kills (3.5 kills per set) with a .360 hitting percentage.

Big Ten Weekly Awards - Oct. 19
Player: Alyssa Garvelink, Michigan State
Defensive: Justine Wong-Orantes, Nebraska
Setter: Rachel Minarick, Michigan State
Freshman: Carly Skjodt, Michigan