SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – North Dakota State defensive specialist Kaylee Hanger and Denver outside hitter Lydia Bartalo claimed this week's Summit League Volleyball Player of the Week accolades. This is the first weekly honor of the season for both Bartalo and Hanger.

Hanger helped the Bison beat in-state rival North Dakota for the first time since 2014, breaking a five-match losing streak to the Fighting Hawks and then turning around and contributing to a five-set victory over Oral Roberts. She came up with a career-high 30 digs in the win over the Golden Eagles and 19 against UND. The sophomore has recorded double-figure digs in 13 of 20 matches this season.

Bartalo put up a career week for Denver, leading the Pioneers to two league victories. She hammered down the 500th kill of her career in Denver's five-set victory over Omaha. She also recorded a career-high and team-high of 21 kills and her fourth double-double of the season with 16 digs. The junior added to her weekly total by slamming another team-high 12 kills and posting a .611 hitting percentage during the Pios sweep over Western Illinois.

Kaylee Hanger, North Dakota State
Sophomore | L/DS | Millstadt, Ill.

• Claimed the first defensive award of her career
• Notched a career-high 30 digs against ORU
• Recorded 49 total digs and an average 5.44 digs per set this weekend 

Also nominated: Lexi Ahrens (North Dakota), Rachael Crucis (Purdue Fort Wayne), Madison Harms (South Dakota), Macy Carrabine (Denver), Inka Inkret (Oral Roberts)

Lydia Bartalo, Denver
Junior | OH | Colorado Springs, Colo.

• Earned the first offensive weekly award of her career
• Tallied 33 kills, 4.13 kills per set and a .419 clip this weekend
• Notched the 500th kill of her career against Omaha

Also nominated: Ashley Brueggeman (North Dakota), Katie Crowe (Purdue Fort Wayne), Sami Slaughter (South Dakota), Emily Halverson (North Dakota State), Sadie Limback (Omaha), CeCe Madison (Oral Roberts)