St. LOUIS -- Missouri State's Lily Johnson was honored Wednesday as the Missouri Valley Conference Enterprise Bank Scholar-Athlete of the Week for the sixth time in her career.

Johnson, who owns a 3.96 cumulative grade point average in cell and molecular biology, piled up 64 kills and had three double-doubles in three matches during the season's opening weekend, averaging 4.57 kills, 3.21 digs, 0.36 aces, 0.43 blocks and 5.18 points per set. The senior outside hitter broke a pair of MVC records as well, establishing new marks for career attacks and career matches with at least 10 kills, and moved to third place on the league's career kills list. 

The Wildwood, Mo., native opened the season with 29 kills on .352 hitting at Appalachian State, adding 11 digs and two aces. Saturday against No. 8 Kansas, Johnson had 15 kills, 16 digs, two aces and two blocks, and followed that performance with 20 kills and 18 digs in a five-set victory at NC State later that afternoon.

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 volleyball Bears (2-1) head to Columbus, Ohio, this weekend for matches against No. 20 Ohio State, Lipscomb and Oakland.