WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Following a pair of 25-plus dig performances, fifth year Jena Otec was named the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Week.
Otec anchored the Boilermakers as libero with 52 total digs (5.78 per set) following Purdue's five set victory over then-No. 15 Penn State (25-23, 15-25, 20-25, 25-23, 15-11) and 3-1 loss at then-No. 7 Ohio State (23-25, 21-25, 25-19, 21-25).
Not only did the libero lead the league in digs and digs per set, but set the Big Ten season-high with her 27 digs vs. No. 15 Penn State. Meanwhile, at Ohio State, the Boilermaker recorded 25 digs, the most by a Big Ten player in a four set match this season.
Moreover, Otec became just the sixth Boilermaker since before 2000 to produce at least 25 digs in back-to-back matches (last: Brooke Peters, 2018).
The weekly award honor marks the second of her career (first: March 29, 2021). Meanwhile, she is the third Boilermaker this season to be recognized.
Purdue in the Big Ten Weekly Awards:
Sept. 6 Hayley Bush, Setter of the Week
Sept. 27 Jael Johnson, Co-Defensive Player of the Week
Oct, 18 Jena Otec, Defensive Player of the Week
Otec anchored the Boilermakers as libero with 52 total digs (5.78 per set) following Purdue's five set victory over then-No. 15 Penn State (25-23, 15-25, 20-25, 25-23, 15-11) and 3-1 loss at then-No. 7 Ohio State (23-25, 21-25, 25-19, 21-25).
Not only did the libero lead the league in digs and digs per set, but set the Big Ten season-high with her 27 digs vs. No. 15 Penn State. Meanwhile, at Ohio State, the Boilermaker recorded 25 digs, the most by a Big Ten player in a four set match this season.
Moreover, Otec became just the sixth Boilermaker since before 2000 to produce at least 25 digs in back-to-back matches (last: Brooke Peters, 2018).
The weekly award honor marks the second of her career (first: March 29, 2021). Meanwhile, she is the third Boilermaker this season to be recognized.
Purdue in the Big Ten Weekly Awards:
Sept. 6 Hayley Bush, Setter of the Week
Sept. 27 Jael Johnson, Co-Defensive Player of the Week
Oct, 18 Jena Otec, Defensive Player of the Week