ARLINGTON, Texas – Stephen F. Austin’s Izabella Ortiz, UTRGV’s Luanna Emiliano and Grand Canyon’s Tatum Thomas have been named the TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Volleyball Player, Setter and Libero of the week, for the match week ending on Monday, Sept. 25.
 
Ortiz, a sophomore middle blocker, recorded 13 total kills in SFA's sweeps of UTRGV and UT Arlington. Ortiz recorded a hitting percentage of .542 and led the team with six blocks in both matches. Her 12 blocks over the past two matches brought her season total up to 79 which ranks third in the nation in total blocks.
 
Emiliano, a junior setter, dished out 63 assists with an average of 9.00 assists per set as UTRGV opened conference play 1-1. She notched her eighth double-double to aid a big 3-1 win over UT Arlington in the WAC opener, recording 41 assists and 16 digs. Emiliano also had four aces, four kills and one block in the victory. Saturday against Stephen F. Austin, Emiliano had 22 assists, eight digs, four kills and one ace. Emiliano now boasts 529 assists (9.62 assists/set) on the season, ranking T-17 and 83^rd in the nation, respectively, as well as 158 digs, 23 aces (T-58 in the nation), 39 kills and 12 blocks.
 
Thomas, a sophomore libero, posted 32 digs and 5.33 digs per set this past weekend. Thomas recorded 11 digs and three assists in a 3-0 sweep against Southern Utah. Against Utah Tech, she had 21 digs and four assists to help the Lopes secure another 3-0 sweep.
 
2023 TicketSmarter WAC Volleyball Weekly Awards
 
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Izabella Ortiz, So., MB, Stephen F. Austin (Sept. 27)
Ielan Bradley, Sr., RS, Stephen F. Austin (Sept. 20)
Ielan Bradley, Sr., RS, Stephen F. Austin (Sept.13)
Brianna Ford, Sr., OH, UT Arlington (Sept. 6)
Paige Reagor, Sr., MB, UT Arlington (Aug. 30)
 
SETTER OF THE WEEK
Luanna Emiliano, Jr., UTRGV (Sept. 27)
Mollie Blank, Sr., UT Arlington (Sept. 20)
Klaire Mitchell, Gr., Grand Canyon (Sept. 13)
Luanna Emiliano, Jr., UTRGV (Sept. 6)
Klaire Mitchell, Gr., Grand Canyon (Aug. 30)
 
LIBERO OF THE WEEK
Tatum Thomas, So., Grand Canyon (Sept. 27)
Haley Hoang, Sr., Stephen F. Austin (Sept. 20)
Mia Jerue, Jr., California Baptist (Sept. 13)
Haley Hoang, Sr., Stephen F. Austin (Sept. 6)
Lani Matavao, Fr., Utah Valley (Aug. 30)