Missouri State senior volleyball player Sara Thomas is this week’s Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday.

Thomas recorded the 10th kill-block-dig triple-double in Missouri State history against Wichita State on Friday, finishing that match with 19 digs and 11 blocks to go with 11 kills. It was the fourth such triple-double in Division I this season and the first where a player reached 11 in all three categories.

Against South Dakota State on Sunday, the Swansea, Ill., native came within two blocks of repeating Friday’s effort, ending the three-game sweep with 13 digs and eight blocks. Thomas also had 15 kills on .565 hitting on the offensive side against the Jackrabbits.

For the week, Thomas averaged 4.57 digs, 2.71 blocks, 3.71 kills and 5.43 points over seven games for the 17-3 Bears.

The Defensive Player of the Week is a new award for MVC volleyball this season.

This is Thomas’ third MVC weekly award this season after earning Player of the Week honors Aug. 27 and Sept. 10.