Another week of successful WKU Athletics action means another set of Conference USA weekly awards for a select few Hilltopper student-athletes.

WKU Volleyball swept rival MTSU this weekend in a two-match series thanks to a stellar defensive showing. Senior middle hitter Lauren Matthews was named defensive player of the week for the first time in her decorated career after totaling 15 blocks against the Blue Raiders.

Matthews recorded the first double-double of her career in the second matchup with MTSU, turning in 18 kills and 10 blocks with a .773 hitting percentage. She is the first athlete in program history to construct a double-double using kills and blocks.

Matthews was not the only volleyball athlete to receive recognition. Fifth-year setter Nadia Dieudonne continues to create scoring opportunities for her team, putting up 60 assists across the weekend to earn setter of the week recognition for the fifth time this season. 48.4% of Dieudonne’s sets resulted in kills for the WKU offense.

Over in the world of football, WKU junior wide receiver Jerreth Sterns was named C-USA Offensive Player of the Week after his monstrous performance against Old Dominion that saw him put up 221 yards receiving on just 13 receptions. 

Sterns became the second Hilltopper in school history to reach the 200-yard receiving mark. He has caught 46 passes for 602 yards in a three game span against No. 9 Michigan State, No. 24 UTSA and the previously second-ranked C-USA defense, Old Dominion. He became the fifth player since 2000 to have 46 or more catches and 600 or more yards in such a span.

Sterns leads the FBS in both catches (69) and yards (962) halfway through the 2021 season.

Football reporter Wyatt Sparkman can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @wyattsparkman3. Sports Editor Jake Moore contributed to this article.