FARMINGTON, Utah (Sept. 16, 2024) – After helping the Northern Arizona volleyball team go 2-0 at the Lumberjack Classic over the weekend, libero
Millie O'Ketter has been named the Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week, as announced by the league office this morning.
It is the second weekly conference honor in O'Ketter's career and her first since 2021. She is also the second 'Jack to be honored this season, as
Taylor Jacobsen claimed offensive honors on Sept. 2. O'Ketter is honored alongside Maddie Davies from Northern Colorado who earned the offensive nod this week.
The weekend started off with a five-set thriller over New Mexico, where NAU defeated the Lobos in five sets to snap a 16-game losing streak to UNM. O'Ketter contributed with 33 digs and a service ace, averaging 6.6 digs per set.
On Saturday, Northern Arizona swept Tarleton State on its home floor. The Durango, Colo., native added 20 digs to give her 53 on the weekend – good for 6.62 per set. O'Ketter also carried out a .925 serving percentage on the weekend.
On a personal note, O'Ketter sits at 1,580 digs in her career which ranks second all-time in program history. Only the fourth Lumberjack to eclipse 1,500 digs in her career, O'Ketter is chasing the all-time record of 1,891 career digs set by Anna Gott from 2009-12. Her career average of 4.21 digs per set ranks third all-time.
O'Ketter, a graduate student, has earned double-digit digs in every match so far this season, including at least 20 in four matches. She is currently 34
th in the nation and second in the Big Sky in digs per set.
Northern Arizona is 4-4 on the season and has three matches this week to close out non-conference play. First, NAU travels to Southern Utah tomorrow for a 5:30 p.m. Mountain Standard time matchup in Cedar City, Utah. The Lumberjacks defeated SUU 3-1 in its season opener back on Aug. 30. After that, NAU splits away and home with Utah Tech – first playing in St. George on Sept. 19 before hosting the Trailblazers on Sept. 21 at the Rolle Activity Center.
