GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – For the second time this season, a Green Bay sophomore volleyball player has been named the Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week. Sophomore Carmen Leitermann (Schofield, Wis.) claimed the award after tallying 13 blocks in two games, the Horizon League office announced Monday afternoon.

“This weekend, she showed what she can do in all facets of the game, including offense, defense and serving,” said Green Bay head coach Debbie Kirch. “Carmen showed maturity in serving out sets in both matches and coming up big in key situations. She provided a wall defensively, not only by getting blocks but also by getting touches.”

Leitermann began the week with a career-high nine blocks on Friday night at Valparaiso. The nine blocks also tied for the fifth-most in school history in a four-set match. With 53 solo blocks in her career, Leitermann ranks fifth all-time in that category despite playing less than two full seasons.

In Saturday's victory over Loyola, Leitermann notched four more blocks and registered nine kills with a .316 hitting percentage. For the week, the sophomore middle hitter had 16 kills and only four errors while adding two service aces.

“Carmen has been determined this season to establish herself as one of the top middle hitters in the Horizon League,” said Kirch. “She wants to be good and she has put in the extra time on the court and watching film to make that happen.”

Teammate and fellow sophomore Brittany Groth (Oak Creek, Wis.) also won a defensive player of the week award this season, earning the honor on Oct. 11.

Green Bay returns to the court on Friday, playing at Butler at 7 p.m.