HICKORY, N.C. — For the first time in program history, the Catawba Valley Community College women's volleyball program has three weekly award winners in one season from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).

The NJCAA announced on Wednesday that freshman middle hitter Emma Clark was named the Division II Tachikara Defensive Player of the Week.

Clark joins teammates Emily Williams and Rachel Delcamp as weekly NJCAA honorees this season. Williams was honored for the week of Aug. 22 through Sept. 2, and Delcamp was honored for the week of Sept. 17-23.

All three athletes won the Defensive Player of the Week award.

"I understand how big of an honor this is, and I am very grateful for receiving this award," Clark said. "I wouldn't have been able to do it without being pushed to be better by my coaches and without the support of my family."

During this past week, Clark tallied 21 block assists and seven solo blocks, helping lead the 15th-ranked Red Hawks to four wins in five matches, including three wins at the Parkland College Halloween Challenge in Champaign, Ill.

Clark currently leads the Red Hawks in kills (313), total blocks (166) and blocks per set (1.33) this season and she ranks second on the squad in hitting percentage (.335) and service aces per set (0.50).

"Emma has worked so hard this year to improve her blocking game, and we are thrilled that she has been recognized by NJCAA for her defensive efforts," said CVCC head volleyball coach Shannon Hudson. "Emma played phenomenally last weekend at the Parkland Halloween Invitational and definitely led our team with her presence at the net. I couldn't be more excited for Emma, and I can't wait to watch her continue to grow as a player."