BILLINGS, Mont. – The Great Northwest Athletic Conference has named Montana State University Billings volleyball sophomore Izela Alvarez defensive player of the week for her outstanding performances in Billings on Thursday and Saturday night.
 
Alvarez (Dumas, Texas) played all 10 sets for MSUB at libero and helped MSUB go 2-0 against a pair of challenging conference opponents. Alvarez was integral on the Yellowjackets' back row in a five-set win over Northwest Nazarene Thursday night, then was equally impressive on Saturday night as MSUB grabbed its first win over Central Washington University since 2013.

"It was a great week for Zel," said MSUB head volleyball coach Casey Williams. "She played consistently and made some spectacular plays, which led to the team's success this week. This award reflects the hard work that she puts in every day."  

Alvarez made 27 digs against Northwest Nazarene and added two service aces and three assists. Against Central Washington, Alvarez did it one better and made 28 digs along with two assists. The sophomore leads the Yellowjackets in digs this fall with 341 and is averaging 4.49 digs per set, which ranks eighth in the GNAC. Alvarez also has 25 service aces, which ranks 11th in the GNAC.
 
Last season, Alvarez was named honorable mention all-conference as a freshman and ended her first season with 622 digs, a single-season record at MSUB.

Alvarez is receiving the award for GNAC defensive player of the week for the first time in her career. She is the second MSUB volleyball player to earn the distinction this season and the first to win it in the defensive category. Freshman middle blocker Eavan Taylor was named GNAC offensive player of the week on August 27.
 
Montana State Billings plays a pair of matches this week as it looks to extend a two-match win streak to four. The team is on the road to face the University of Alaska Fairbanks on Thursday, October 11 at 7 p.m. Alaska time. Then on Saturday, October 13, the Yellowjackets play the University of Alaska Anchorage at 7 p.m. 
 
Live video and statistics will be available for all MSUB home matches and all GNAC road contests throughout the 2018 season, through MSUB's Stretch Internet portal.