DAVIS, Calif. - UC Davis sophomore libero Malia Bolko captured Big West Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors, as voted by the league's sports information directors, the conference announced Monday. This is the first such award of the 2016 season for the Xceleration VBC alumna, and the third in her career.

Bolko, an economics major from Benicia, totaled 47 digs in the Aggies' two victories over the weekend. She picked up 23 in Thursday's four-set win over UC Riverside on Thursday, then added another 24 in Saturday's triumph against Cal State Fullerton. Bolko also led UC Davis in passing, fielding 62 serves without yielding an ace. Furthermore, her 47 total gets represents her career high for a weekend – even when including three-match tournaments.

Bolko twice earned Defensive Player of the Week as a freshman. She is the third Aggie to claim Big West Conference weekly honors this season. Redshirt freshman Heather Reed earned the defensive nod back on September 19, while Lauren Matias captured Freshman of the Week accolades on both September 19 and October 10.

UC Irvine's Harlee Kekauoha won the conference's overall Player of the Week distinction while UC Santa Barbara's Lindsey Ruddins picked her fourth Freshman of the Week award.

The Aggies hit the road for ESPN3-televised matches at CSUN and Long Beach State on Friday and Saturday, respectively.