Senior libero Malama Peniata (Plymouth, Minn.) was named Big Ten Defensive Volleyball Player of the Week for Monday, Oct. 23. It marks the second time Peniata has received the honor and the fourth time a Golden Gopher has claimed Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, which was just created last year.

This past week, Peniata averaged 6.50 dpg, 1.17 apg and helped limit Golden Gopher opposition to a .117 hitting percentage. Peniata had 19 digs, a service ace and three assists in a three-game victory over No. 11 Wisconsin on Oct. 18. She also had 20 digs and four assists in a three-game victory at Iowa.

Minnesota’s two wins gave it a 9-1 Big Ten start for the first half of the season. That matched the Golden Gophers best first half in school history, which they also reached in 2000, 2002 and 2004. Minnesota enters the week with a five-match winning streak.

Peniata currently leads the Big Ten in digs per game with 5.74 dpg.

Minnesota will return to action this week when it faces No. 24 Ohio State on Friday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. That match will be telecast on Fox Sports Net North and Comcast Chicago on tape-delayed basis on Sunday, Oct. 29 at 12 p.m. The Golden Gophers will also face No. 2 Penn State on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m.