St. LOUIS -- For the second consecutive week and fourth time this season, Missouri State junior libero Emily Butters was named the Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week in volleyball.

Butters tallied 50 digs in just seven sets last week, averaging 7.14 per set while helping the MSU defense limit opponents to .096 hitting in two road wins. 

Friday, the Richmond, Texas, native scooped 23 digs and had seven assists in a sweep of Valparaiso. Saturday, Butters set MSU's single-season digs record during the first set at Loyola, finishing with 27 in the match along with six assists and an ace as the Bears completed an undefeated MVC season.

Butters and the 25th-ranked Bears (26-5, 18-0 MVC) take the No. 1 seed to the MVC Tournament this week in Normal, Ill., and open play on Friday, Nov. 24 at 5 p.m. against the winner of Thursday's match between No. 4 Drake and fifth-seeded Indiana State.