SAINT MARY-OF-THE-WOODS, Ind. — Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College standouts Gaby Fernandez and Karla Melendez-Martinez earned River States Conference Women's Volleyball Player of the Week honors, the conference announced Monday.

Fernandez was named RSC Defender of the Week for the third time this season, while Melendez-Martinez collected her second RSC Attacker of the Week award of the year. Both players appeared in three of the Pomeroys' four matches during the week.

Fernandez continued her outstanding season in the back row by collecting 88 digs and averaging 7.33 digs per set. She also contributed 13 assists and four service aces while posting a .969 reception percentage across 65 attempts.

Fernandez leads the NAIA in digs per set this season and led all NAIA players in total digs over the past week.

The libero opened the week with 21 digs, three assists and two aces in SMWC's sweep of No. 22 IU Kokomo. The victory ended the Cougars' 56-match RSC winning streak.
Fernandez followed with 40 digs — an average of eight per set — along with seven assists and two aces against Kansas Wesleyan. She closed the week with 27 digs and three assists in a four-set victory over Governors State.

Fernandez recorded at least 20 digs in each of her three appearances.

Melendez-Martinez powered the SMWC attack with 47 kills and an average of 4.27 kills per set. She hit .248 for the week while adding 24 digs, six blocks and two service aces. The outside hitter accounted for 52.5 points, averaging 4.8 points per set.

Melendez-Martinez helped SMWC earn its historic sweep of No. 22 IU Kokomo before turning in her biggest offensive performance of the week against Kansas Wesleyan. She recorded 28 kills, 10 digs and five blocks while hitting .333 in the five-set match.

She completed the week with 12 kills, eight digs and a .273 hitting percentage as the Pomeroys defeated Governors State in four sets.

The honors recognize two key contributors to an SMWC team that improved to 25-1 during the week.

The Pomeroys return to RSC play Friday, Sept. 25, when they visit Brescia University in Owensboro, Kentucky. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.