FARMINGTON, Utah — Paige Stepaniuk went from MVP of The Joust Tournament to POTW Monday as the junior libero picked up the second Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week honor of her career.
 
Stepaniuk earned the honors – both the MVP and POTW – after leading the Vikings to their first 3-0 tournament weekend since 2021, as well as their first road tournament sweep since 2017.
 
Stepaniuk anchored the Vikings' back row to three strong performances last weekend in Riverside, Calif. In the team's weekend opener against previously unbeaten New Mexico Thursday, Stepaniuk was flawless in serve receive. That was no small feat against a New Mexico team that came into the match leading the Mountain West Conference and ranked 21st nationally with 2.13 aces per set. Behind Stepaniuk, the Vikings held the Lobos to only four aces (none on Stepaniuk) while recording five aces of their own in a 3-1 victory.
 
Stepaniuk gave the Vikings the advantage from the service line against host California Baptist Friday. She set a career high with six aces in the match, while the Vikings recorded a season-high 15 as a team.
 
Stepaniuk closed out the tournament with 16 digs and seven assists in the Vikings' 3-0 sweep of Cal State Fullerton Saturday.
 
The junior now ranks among the Big Sky leaders in both digs (5th, 3.74 per set) and aces (8th, 0.34 per set) this season. Additionally, Stepaniuk needs only 49 more digs to enter the career top 10 for digs during the program's Big Sky era (1996-present). She will pass former teammate Makayla Lewis for 10th whenever she records 49 more digs.
 
Stepaniuk and the Vikings will finally return home – after three straight weekends on the road – for their last two non-conference matches. The Vikings host the state of Oregon this weekend, as the Oregon Ducks come into Viking Pavilion Friday at 7 p.m., before the Oregon State Beavers come up to Portland Saturday at 5 p.m.