St. LOUIS -- Missouri State libero Emily Butters was selected Tuesday as the Missouri Valley Conference Eagle Bank Scholar-Athlete of the Week, bringing the season total to four such awards for the volleyball Bears in 2016 for an honor given to one male and female athlete from all sports in the league each week.

Butters averaged 6.67 digs per set and helped the Bears limit opponents to a .116 attack efficiency in two sweeps, all while becoming the first sophomore in Missouri State history to reach the 1,000-dig plateau. 

The Richmond, Texas, native became the school's 24th overall member of the 1,000-dig club Saturday with 21 digs at Bradley, and added 19 digs and four assists in Saturday's win at Loyola as the Bears held the Ramblers to a .108 hitting percentage.

An exercise and movement science major, Butters owns a 3.92 grade point average. 

To qualify for MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Week laurels, student-athletes must carry a cumulative GPA 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.

The Bears sit in sole possession of first place in the MVC with a 21-7 overall record and 12-2 league mark after winning 12 consecutive matches. MSU hosts Indiana State at 7 p.m. Friday and Illinois State at 7 p.m. Saturday to close the home portion of the schedule.