St. LOUIS -- Missouri State's Lily Johnson was honored as the season's first Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week in volleyball Monday, the league office announced. The award is the sixth of Johnson's career.

Johnson had a double-double in all three MSU matches last week, averaging 3.92 kills, 3.00 digs, 0.31 aces and 0.31 blocks as the Bears earned wins over Arkansas and No. 14 Illinois. 

The junior outside hitter earned all-tournament honors at the Illini Classic after posting 17 kills, 10 digs and three aces in MSU's victory at 14th-ranked Illinois Saturday evening. She finished with 14 kills and 16 digs in a sweep of Arkansas earlier in the day, and opened the season Friday with 20 kills and 13 digs against Xavier, her 25th career match with at least 20 kills. 

The Wildwood, Mo., native also successfully returned serves at a 99.1 percent clip while being targeted by nearly half of opposing attempts.