Oct. 12, 2011

Missouri State volleyball libero Ashley Mason and men's soccer midfielder Heath Melugin were named Prairie Farms/Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athletes of the Week on Wednesday the league office announced. Mason earned her second Prairie Farms/MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Week honor this season after winning it back on Aug. 31. Melugin received the award on October 27, 2010 and marks the first MSU male student-athlete to garner honors this season.

Mason, who has a 3.90 cumulative GPA in business management, averaged an MVC-best 6.71 digs per set as the Bears defeated Creighton, 3-1, on Oct. 7, and swept Drake, 3-0, on Oct. 8.

The MVC Defensive Player of the Week posted 28 digs versus Creighton, the highest single-match total for the league last week - and added 19 digs against Drake.

Melugin, who has a 3.97 cumulative GPA in cell and molecular biology and was recently accepted to the University of Kansas School of Medicine, played a big role in the Bears' only game last week. He found the back of the net for the first time in 2011 as Missouri State edged Central Arkansas, 2-1, on Oct. 8.

The Springfield, Mo. native registered the 17th goal of his career after converting a pass from freshman Parker Maher in the 35th minute. He finished the match with a game-high four shots, including three on goal.

To qualify for Prairie Farms/Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week laurels, student-athletes must carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.20, completed at least one academic year at a Valley institution and must be at least a sophomore in academic standing. Redshirt freshmen and first-year junior college transfers are not eligible. In addition to the academic qualifications, student-athletes will be evaluated on their athletic performance for a one-week period.