After a road sweep at Drake this past weekend which was capped by a thrilling come-from-behind five-set win in a record-setting performance, the Valpo volleyball team claimed two of the Missouri Valley Conference’s three weekly awards on Tuesday. Sophomore Bella Ravotto (Mishawaka, Ind./Marian) was named the MVC Defensive Player of the Week, while freshman setter Victoria Bulmahn (McCordsville, Ind./Mt. Vernon) claimed MVC Freshman of the Week honors.

Ravotto earned the first conference weekly award of her career after ably stepping in to the libero role with stellar back-row play in Valpo’s pair of wins over the Bulldogs. Sunday saw Ravotto notch 18 digs in a four-set win before she exploded for a match-high 38 digs in Monday's five-set win over Drake. The 38 digs shattered her previous career high of 23 and are tied for fourth-most by a Valpo player in a single match in the 25-point era. 21 of her 38 digs came in the final two sets as Valpo rallied from a 2-1 deficit to close the series sweep. Ravotto also tallied nine assists in the Monday victory, easily a career best in that category as well. For the series, Ravotto averaged 6.22 digs/set and did not commit a serve reception error.

Bulmahn captured the second weekly award of her collegiate career after a strong all-around performance over the two victories. In Sunday’s four-set victory, Bulmahn handed out 50 assists as Valpo hit at a .247 clip for the match, set a career high with 21 digs and added three blocks and two service aces. Then on Monday, Bulmahn registered 57 assists and shattered her career best with 26 digs while adding five kills as well. For the series, Bulmahn averaged 11.89 assists and 5.22 digs per set.

With the pair of honors Tuesday, Valpo has already claimed a total of five weekly awards this season after tallying just eight over its first three seasons in the MVC.