By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University senior libero Shyla Sato (Honolulu, HI/Mid-Pacific Institute) has been selected as the Northwest Conference Volleyball Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week for her efforts in matches on Friday, Nov. 3 and Saturday, Nov. 4. The Bearcats won both matches, as they defeated the University of Puget Sound, 3-0, on Friday, and downed George Fox University, 3-1, on Saturday.

WU won against the Loggers 25-22, 25-20, 25-19. The Bearcats moved past the Bruins, 15-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-23.

It is the second time Sato has been chosen as the NWC Volleyball Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week this season. She also received the honor two weeks ago on Oct. 23.

During the Bearcats' two wins last week, Sato registered a total of 34 digs. She earned nine digs in the three-set win over the Loggers, then provided 25 digs in the four-set victory over the Bruins. Sato has 1,996 career digs entering the NWC Tournament. She has played in 99 matches and 365 sets.

Sato helped Willamette finish the regular season at 14-9 overall and 9-7 in the NWC. The Bearcats took fourth place in the conference standings and qualified for the inaugural NWC Volleyball Tournament, set for Friday, Nov. 10 and Saturday, Nov. 11. Willamette will battle host Pacific Lutheran University at 4:30 p.m. PST on Friday, Nov. 10. In the other semifinal, George Fox will compete against Whitworth University at 7:30 p.m. The NWC Tournament Championship Match is set for Saturday, Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. between the two semifinal winners.