WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Senior middle blocker Dior Charles earned Purdue’s first weekly award nod of the season after being named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week by the conference office.
The honor comes on the heels of a 3-0 week in which Purdue played IU Indy, Houston and No. 8 SMU – without dropping a set – and culminated in the Paradise Invitational Championship title.
Charles averaged 1.88 blocks per set over the three matches, an effort that included six blocks vs. IU Indy, four against Houston and five against SMU.
Her efforts ranked No. 4 in the nation last week in blocks per set, and also guided the Boilermakers to not only top the Big Ten, but rank No. 8 in the nation last week in team blocks per set (3.22).
Charles and Purdue’s defensive stamina helped hold opponents to a combined .145 attack % last week, and a forced 61 attack errors.
It is the first career Big Ten weekly award recognition for Charles and the first middle blocker to receive the defensive honor since Raven Colvin in September 2024.
The Boilermakers moved up in the AVCA rankings three spots, checking in at No. 11 following the wins.
UP NEXT
No. 14 Purdue returns home to host the Stacey Clark Classic, which will begin Thursday vs. UAlbany at 6 p.m. ET for the Hammer Down Cancer match. Then, on Saturday Purdue will take on UCF at 1 p.m. ET and will Lace Up for Pediatric Cancer with a Toy Story theme-night. A special Purdue Volleyball Toy Story poster will be given away.