Mass Earns Second Big 12 Nod of the Season

AMES, Iowa - Iowa State libero Ashley Mass has been named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week, the league office announced today.

This is Mass' second defensive conference honor of the 2010 season and her 14th overall.

In Iowa State's two wins last week at Colorado (22-25, 25-17, 25-22, 25-10) and at home against Kansas (25-20, 25-23, 25-20), Mass recorded 36 digs, an average of 5.14 digs per set. Mass' 22 digs against the Buffaloes came just shy of her season-high 24 digs in match which she posted against North Dakota State.

Mass leads the Big 12 in digs per set against conference foes this year with an average of 5.05 digs per set. She is ranked fourth in the conference overall with an average of 4.59 digs per set.

Earlier this month, Mass became the Big 12 record holder in digs, eclipsing former Kansas State Wildcat Angie Lastra. Mass currently has 2,077 digs as a Cyclone with nine regular-season matches remaining.

Texas' Michelle Kocher was recognized as the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week and Allie Sawatzky of Texas A&M was named the top rookie.

The No. 12 Cyclones (15-4, 8-3 Big 12) are back in action Wednesday on the road at Kansas State (9-13, 3-8). The match begins at 7 p.m. at Ahearn Field House in Manhattan, Kan.