[media-credit name=’JEFF SCHORFHEIDE/Herald photo’ align=’alignright’ width=’336′][/media-credit]For the first time since the award's inception in 2005, a Badger volleyball player has been named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.

After helping Wisconsin open conference play with two victories, junior middle blocker Audra Jeffers received her first conference player of the week honors.

"It means a lot," Jeffers said of the award. "It shows that if you just work through things, you can come out on top and succeed."

In the first match of the week against Illinois, Jeffers tied her career high with seven blocks and also got involved on the offensive side, putting down 13 kills.

A couple of days later in a win at then-No. 10 Michigan, Jeffers was again involved in the blocking game, stuffing a career-high eight, including five alone in the third game.

"(Jeffers) just keeps getting better and better," head coach Pete Waite said. "Here's a player who played the first two years of her career on the right side and trained there all the time. Then we asked her to come in the middle and learn a whole new position."

For the week, Jeffers averaged 2.14 blocks per game. She also put down 2.86 kills per game while hitting at a .326 clip.

"[For Jeffers] to put up good numbers offensively and defensively, it says a lot for her determination and just how quickly she picks up on things," Waite said.

Block key to victories

Blocking has always been a big part of Wisconsin's game, and it was key in the Badgers' two victories last week.

At Illinois Wednesday, the Badgers stuffed a season-high 18 balls compared to only six for the Illini. Along with Jeffers' seven blocks, senior middle blocker Taylor Reineke — who Jeffers considers a mentor — led all players with nine.

Because of a strong effort on Wisconsin's frontline, Illinois was held to a .115 hitting percentage.

"It was huge," Waite said of the Badgers' block. "That really slows down the hitters. When we block that many, it means our defense can get even more balls that get around the block. It has been very important to us, and it needs to continue for us to be successful in the Big Ten."

The Badgers again dominated at the net against the Wolverines, out-blocking them 12-5. While Jeffers led all players with eight blocks, Katherine Dykstra chipped in with five assists, with Allison Wack and Taylor Reineke also adding four block assists each.

[Illinois and Michigan] both have very good outside hitters who hit a sharp angle," Jeffers said. "(Reineke) and I knew coming into the weekend that a lot of the success was going to be relying on how well we blocked. To know that we did our job, and that we won and that we both blocked really well, feels good."