Kansas City, Mo. -- Missouri Southern senior volleyball player Abbie Casper has been named the MIAA Volleyball Defensive Athlete of the Week as announced by the league office today. 

Casper, a native of Pittsburg, Kan., helped the Lions to a 3-1 record to open the season at their own Southern Invite this past weekend. On the weekend, Casper averaged 4.70 digs per set while also posting five aces and a .989 return percentage.

Casper collected 29 digs in the opening match against Southwestern Oklahoma and then totaled 18 digs against Truman, 25 against Northwestern Oklahoma and 22 against William Jewell.

Southern will be back in action next weekend as the Lions travel to Denton, Texas to take part in the Denton Volleyfest hosted by Texas Woman's University.