ATLANTA – A pair of Kentucky State University volleyball players were honored by the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the league announced today (Monday, October 14, 2019).

Juniors Oyuky Benitez (Laveen, Ariz.) and Sasha Bills (Mesa, Ariz.) were named Defensive Player of the Week and Newcomer of the Week, respectively. It's the second straight week the duo was lauded by the SIAC.

"I continue to be impressed with Sasha and Oyuky," said Kentucky State University head coach DiShondra Goree. "Both young ladies have put in the work and have shown dedication in our team mission. I'm proud of their team leadership and success, I know they will continue to do their best for the program."

Actually, Benitez has dominated the award recently – claiming the defensive award in five of the six weeks. She recorded 62 digs as the Thorobreds went through the western division cluster 4-1 this past weekend. Benitez is second in the league with 247 digs.

Bills has made the transition setter very successfully and has been excellent in Kentucky State's two-setter system. Over the five-match SIAC West Division Cluster, Bills dished out 102 assists in helping KSU go 4-1 on the weekend.

Kentucky State (17-9 overall, 14-2 SIAC) secured the second seed in the west division for the upcoming SIAC Tournament. The Thorobreds return to the court 7 p.m. Wednesday at Central State University.