With strong individual performances helping lead the University of Minnesota Duluth volleyball team to a pair of sweeps over tough Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference competition, two Bulldogs brought home an NSIC Player of the Week award at each of their respective positions.

Senior setter Eleena Iisakka earned NSIC Setter of the Week accolades for the second time this year, while redshirt freshman libero Julie Rainey was honored as the NSIC Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in her career.

Rainey's 44 digs in two matches led the team, as she consistently made saves in the back row to average 7.33 digs per set. Rainey has posted 5.58 digs per set this season, and was ranked 21st nationally last week. Her performance this weekend could move her into the top 15 in digs per set this week.

Rainey was also a perfect 26-26 receiving serve in the two matches.

Iisakka's 13.83 assists per set captained UMD to a .275 hitting percentage in the two combined matches. Iisakka has been a staple of consistency this year, the past weekend being an example of that. A day after posting 41 assists and 13 digs in a win over #10 Wayne State, Iisakka had 42 assists and 14 digs against Augustana. Iisakka has five double-doubles this season.

Already ranked in the top four nationally for assists per set, Iisakka improved her season average to 12.15 assists per set.

 Iisakka also received NSIC Setter of the Week honors on September 12.