By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Shyla Sato (Sr., LIB, Honolulu, HI/Mid-Pacific Institute) of Willamette University has been selected as the Northwest Conference Volleyball Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week for her efforts against Linfield University on Friday, Oct. 20 and at Pacific Lutheran University on Saturday, Oct. 21. Sato earned a total of 54 digs during the week for an average of 6.75 digs per set.

Against Linield in a 3-2 win, Sato contributed 30 digs. She added 24 digs against Pacific Lutheran in a 3-0 loss to the NWC leaders. With the back-to-back solid efforts, Sato increased her career total to 1,924 digs. This season, Sato has accumulated 394 digs and is averaging 5.88 digs per set.

Willamette is 11-8 on the season and 6-6 in the NWC. The Bearcats will take on Lewis & Clark College on Wednesday, Oct. 25 in Portland, Oregon. Match time is set for 7 p.m.