SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Following performances that helped propel their respective teams to undefeated opening weekend, Denver’s Lydia Bartalo and Oral Roberts’ Sarah Thiessen were named the TicketSmarter Summit League Volleyball Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively.
 
Bartalo earned the offensive honor after being named the Trojan Invitational MVP and being selected to the all-tournament team. She posted three-match totals of 40 kills, 24 digs and 10 service aces to start the 2021 season. Bartalo opened up the invitational leading the team with a match-high 11 kills on a .348 hitting percentage to go along with two service aces against CSUN.
 
In the Pioneers’ five-set victory over [RV] Southern California, she recorded a double-double of 16 kills and 11 digs while also notching a career-high seven service aces in the win. Bartalo closed the invitational posting her second-consecutive double-double with 13 kills and 10 digs against Campbell.
 
Thiessen collected the defensive honor after being selected to the Katrinka Crawford Invitational All-Tournament Team. She accumulated 54 digs over the weekend to lead the Golden Eagles to wins over Louisana Monroe, Lamar and Prairie View A&M. The senior averaged 4.5 digs per set behind 20 digs in the first match and an impressive 27 digs in a four-set win over host Lamar.
 
Lydia Bartalo, Denver
Gr | OH | Colorado Springs, Colo.

• Collected the second offensive weekly award of her career
• Named the Trojan Invitational MVP and to the all-tournament team
• Tallied 40 kills, 3.63 kills per set, a .325 hitting percentage and 10 services on opening weekend
• Recorded a career-best seven service aces in a five-set win over USC

Also nominated: Crystal Burk (South Dakota State), Kaia Dunford (Oral Roberts), Melanie Brecka (Kansas City), Kennedy Davis (Western Illinois), Syra Tanchin (North Dakota State)
 
Sarah Thiessen, Oral Roberts
Sr | L | Tulsa, Okla.

• Claimed the third career defensive player of the week honor of her career
• Named to the Katrinka Crawford Invitational All-Tournament team
• Tallied 54 digs and 4.5 digs per set during the opening weekend of competition
• Now sits five digs shy of 1,000 digs for her ORU career

Also nominated: Gianna Bartalo (Denver), Lexi Ahrens (North Dakota), Claire Mountjoy (Omaha), De’Janae Arnold (Kansas City), Peyton Bowman (Western Illinois), Abby Stark (North Dakota State)
 
2021 Volleyball Players of the Week
August 31
O: Lydia Bartalo, Denver
D: Sarah Thiessen, Oral Roberts