Nov. 16, 2009

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Junior middle blocker Ashley Benson was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Monday. It marks the third weekly accolade of her career after winning back-to-back Player of the Week awards last season.

Benson led Indiana to a road split at Michigan State and No. 14 Michigan, averaging 2.00 blocks per set. She racked up a career-high 11 stuffs in a win over the Spartans on Friday. Benson then pulled the Hoosiers back from a two-sets-to-none deficit against Michigan, forcing a fifth set on the strength of nine blocks, including two solos.

She ranks among the nation's leaders at the net, improving her season average to 1.13 blocks/set, which ranks sixth in the Big Ten.

On the weekend, Benson also contributed 3.30 kills per set on .365 hitting with five digs and a service ace.