I'm proud to see Shay receive this Summit League honor. She committed herself to her team and to constantly improving her skills," head coach Phil McDaniel said. "With each dig, she continues to climb the record books, and more importantly, with each dig she gives her teammates the opportunity to transition to attack." 

Birath captures her sixth career Defensive Player of the Week award and second of the season after setting the school record for digs in a four-set match and averaging 7.50 digs per set for the week. 

The Marshall, Minn., native collected 28 digs against Northern Iowa on Tuesday, and followed that up with 32 digs in a four-set win over Omaha on Friday, setting the school record for digs in a four-set match. 

On the week, Birath posted 60 digs, averaging 7.50 per set, nearly one dig more than the NCAA leader on the season, and eight assists.

Birath shares the weekly award with Bethany Folger from IUPUI.

The Jackrabbits return to action on Friday, when they travel to Macomb, Ill., to take on the Western Illinois Fighting Leathernecks at 7 p.m.