GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) - Brittany Groth (Oak Creek, Wis.) had one of the best defensive performances in Green Bay volleyball history this past weekend, and Monday morning she was recognized for that effort as the junior libero was named the Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week.

Groth had two strong performances in a week where the Phoenix split two league matches, highlighted by her 37-dig match against UIC on Saturday. The total not only bested her previous career high and was the most by a Horizon League player this season, it was also the third-most in Green Bay history. Krista Olearnick has the school record with 43 against Wright State in 2002.

It is the second career defensive player of the week honor for Groth. She previously won the award on Oct. 11, 2010. Green Bay has won four weekly league awards in the past two seasons (three defensive, one offensive).

"Brittany had an outstanding season her sophomore year, which was her first year in the libero jersey," said head coach Debbie Kirch. "We have been working with her on 'taking that next step' in that position and I think we saw that this past weekend. She was a rock in the serve receive and she was making some great reads on the opponents' hitters. Hopefully her progress will continue because I think she can be even better."

The junior libero was also solid on Friday night when Green Bay swept visiting Valparaiso in the team's conference home opener. Groth had 17 digs in that sweep in a stellar defensive effort that also saw the Phoenix tally a season-high 15 blocks.

With 83 digs in three conference matches, Groth is averaging 6.92 digs per set and leads the league by over a dig per set. Overall this season, Groth has 270 digs and is averaging 4.91 per set, good for second in the Horizon League.

In just a season and a half in the libero's role, Groth has 782 digs and is only 218 digs from posting 1,000 for her career. She posted 506 sigs as a sophomore while averaging 4.96 per set.

Groth and the Phoenix return to the road this week, playing at Chicago State on Tuesday for a non-conference match before traveling back to Chicago on Friday to play against HL foe Loyola.

Notes... Senior Abbey Gitter (Hortonville, Wis.) has 782 career kills and is just 218 shy of reaching the 1,000-kill club ... Junior Carmen Leitermann (Schofield, Wis.) was the last Green Bay player to be named Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week (Nov. 1, 2010) ... Sophomore Leah Van Zeeland (Kaukauna, Wis.) had a career-high 19 kills on Saturday. It was also the most by a Phoenix player this season ... The Phoenix is in the top-5 in the league in six of seven team statistical categories.