Junior libero Brittany Malicoat (Elkhart, Ind./Memorial) has been named the Horizon League’s Defensive Player of the Week after averaging an astounding 8.14 digs per game last weekend.

Malicoat kicked off the weekend by tallying 33 digs in Valpo’s four-game victory over Butler on Friday night.  Her 33 digs were the third-most in a four-game match in Crusader history and marked the fourth-highest single-match total of her career.  The junior followed with 24 more digs in Valpo’s three-game match against Wright State on Saturday afternoon.

Malicoat currently leads the Horizon League with 5.74 digs/game and is averaging a League-best 6.15 digs/game in conference play.  She already ranks fifth on Valpo’s single-season digs list with 499 digs to date this year, and could challenge her own record of 675 digs set last season.  For her career, Malicoat has racked up 1,447 digs, moving into fifth place on Valpo’s all-time list over the weekend.

She also has been a threat from the service line throughout her career, surpassing the 100-ace milestone last weekend.  The junior has now registered 103 career aces, just five shy of Valpo’s all-time top-10 in the category.  On the season, Malicoat has picked up 34 aces and ranks second in the Horizon League with 0.39 aces/game.

Malicoat and the rest of the Crusaders will close out the 2007 home campaign this weekend with two key League matchups, as Valpo hosts Milwaukee on Friday night and Green Bay on Saturday night.  Both contests will begin at 7 p.m.