SAN DIEGO – San Diego State volleyball’s Gianna Bender was named Mountain West Freshman of the Week after helping the Aztecs to a pair of three-set sweeps over New Mexico and Air Force in their final homestand of the regular season. The announcement was made Monday at the league office in Colorado Springs, Colo.
With her award, the Aztec libero garnered her third freshman weekly accolade from the conference this season and fourth overall after she received dual recognition as MW Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 21.
Against the Lobos and Falcons, Bender contributed to an SDSU defense that limited those teams to a combined .146 hitting percentage, as the Scarlet and Black improved to 16-0 on the year when holding the opposition below a .200 efficiency.
A former AVCA prep All-American from Hudsonville, Michigan, Bender totaled 17 digs (2.83/set), 14 assists (2.33/set) and four service aces in six sets across two matches, helping the Aztecs raise their overall record to 19-9—their best since 2012—and solidify their No. 5 seed at this week’s Mountain West Championship.
Not to be outdone, she also completed a clean 1.000 receiving percentage for the weekend, handling all 32 chances without an error.
After posting seven digs, eight setting assists and one ace against New Mexico, Bender collected 10 scoops in the regular-season finale vs. Air Force, marking her 22nd match in which she has reached double figures in digs.
Additionally, she logged six setting assists and tied her season best with three aces, one of which was served up in a timely 7-2 run during the third set, helping SDSU overcome a 17-16 deficit and take the lead for good en route to the sweep of the Falcons.
For the season, Bender ranks seventh in the conference with 3.60 digs per set and is tied for fourth on the squad with 25 aces.
Bender and the Aztecs will battle Fresno State on Wednesday, Nov. 27, in the first round of the Mountain West Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada. First serve is set for 1 p.m. PT.
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