BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Jacksonville State volleyball player Lauren Harkins has been named the Ohio Valley Conference's Defensive Player of the Week for her efforts last week, the conference office announced on Monday.

Harkins, a junior libero from Louisville, Ky., guided the Gamecocks (4-3) to a 3-1 record last week, beginning with a sweep of Kennesaw State on Tuesday and ending with a 2-1 showing at the Virginia Tech Hokie Invitational over the weekend.

She averaged 6.23 digs per set over the Gamecocks' four matches and earned all-tournament honors at the Hokie Invite after picking up 6.9 per set over the weekend. She guided a JSU defense that limited its opponents to a .116 attack percentage on the week.

Harkins' most impressive effort of the week was a 34-dig match against Coastal Carolina on Saturday, running her career total to 1,262, nine away from third place, which is currently occupied by Jessica Starck.

The Gamecocks wrap up their non-conference slate this weekend, when they play in the Denver Pioneer Classic. The tourney will open for JSU against Texas A&M on Friday.