BURNSVILLE, Minn. – Southwest Minnesota State senior defensive specialist Brittany Wenzel has been named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Defensive Player of the Week for her performance in SMSU’s 3-1 start during the season. The announcement was made by the league office on Tuesday afternoon.

Wenzel, a native of Chaska, Minn., led the NSIC in the first four matches of the season with 79 digs (6.08 per set). Wenzel set a career-high with 34 digs in SMSU’s four-set win over Pittsburg State on Sunday. She finished each match with double-digits in digs and was able to add five assists and two service aces over the weekend. Wenzel led SMSU with 18 digs against Wayne State and once again with 17 digs against Northern Michigan.

Wenzel is the first player of the 2011 season to be named NSIC player of the week for SMSU.

Southwest Minnesota State will pick up action in the Colorado Premier Challenge on Friday taking on Lock Haven (Pa.) at noon MT before taking on host Metro State (Colo.) at 7 p.m. MT.