VOLLEYBALL: Mass chosen as Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week

Cyclone libero Ashley Mass digs the ball while playing against UW-Milwaukee at Hilton Coliseum on Saturday, August 29, 2009. The Cyclones won 3-0 in season opener. Photo: Shing Kai Chan/Iowa State Daily

Shing Kai Chan

Cyclone libero Ashley Mass digs the ball while playing against UW-Milwaukee at Hilton Coliseum on Saturday, August 29, 2009. The Cyclones won 3-0 in season opener. Photo: Shing Kai Chan/Iowa State Daily

Kayci Woodley

2008 Big 12 Libero of the Year, Ashley Mass, has earned her seventh honor as Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week. In the Cyclones’ last four games, Mass compiled an average of 5.21 digs per set, which was a conference best.

The mark ties former Iowa State gymnast Janet Anson for the most conference awards in a female student-athlete’s career. Last season, Mass became the fastest Cyclone to reach 1,000 career digs after reaching the mark in her 59th match.

The Muskego, Wis., native chipped in a season-high 25 digs against No. 13 Minnesota on Saturday and currently leads the conference in digs, averaging 5.15 per set for 2009. The junior also notched two service aces and 11 assists in the past week for the Cyclones.