ANNVILLE, PA (February 21, 2022) -- For the first time in his career, sophomore opposite hitter Jared Piontkowski has tabbed Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) men's volleyball's Defensive Player of the Week. This is the second weekly honor of Piontkowski's career and first from the MAC office as announced on Monday afternoon.

Piontkowski recorded 20 blocks at 1.54 blocks per set and 16 digs in the Monarchs' 3-1 week. Piontkowski led a defense that forced 85 attack errors holding their opponents' hitting percentage to .076. In a 3-0 MAC win at home over Wilkes, Piontkowski recorded five blocks, adding 15 kills, two digs, and an ace. He added another five blocks and 11.5 points in a 3-0 win at Dean College on Friday to kick off their weekend in Massachusetts. The sophomore's best game of the week came against Emerson College where he totaled seven blocks and 11 digs, recording his first double-double of his career with 17 kills, for 24.5 points. The Nanticoke, Pa. native then finished the week with three blocks and three digs in a loss to host Regis College on Saturday.

The sophomore adds his second weekly honor for his career, earning FrogJump Team of the Week accolades on February 8 for his play in a doubleheader sweep over SUNY Potsdam that weekend.

--MONARCHS--