LOS ANGELES, Calif. – PrepVolleyball.com announced its weekly awards yesterday, with the University of Tampa snagging two of them. Claudia Rivera was named the Unsung Hero of the Week, while the Spartans earned Team of the Week.

First, Claudia Rivera, a three-rotation freshman defensive specialist for the Spartans, hardly ever gets the recognition she deserves for her efforts. She earns the Unsung Hero of the Week award after matching Tampa libero Nicole Dominguez with 14 digs in last week’s road sweep of the then-No. 3 ranked Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish.

The University of Tampa volleyball team won twice last week to improve to 13-1, the best start since the 2014 season that saw Tampa win the NCAA Division II national title. One of the road sweeps at then-No. 3 Palm Beach Atlantic. Tampa improved four spots to No. 8 nationally as the result of its great week and is in the top 10 nationally for the first time since the pre-season poll of 2016. Because of its great week, three Spartans won conference Player of the Week awards. MB Taylor Fosler was named Offensive POW, junior Sammy Mueller was recognized as Setter of the Week and libero Nicole Dominguez was Defensive POW.