Senior libero Julie Hershkowitz was named the Big South Conference Defensive Player of the Week for matches played  Aug. 31 through Sept. 5 the league announced Tuesday. Hershkowitz averaged 4.94 digs per set for the Panthers last week.

Hershkowitz totaled 84 digs in HPU's four matches last week, committing just five reception errors in 118 attempts. She also contributed on the offensive side with three aces. She had two 20-digs matches at the Thunder invitational, including 26 digs against Hofstra.

The Scottsdale, Ariz. native was named to the 2010 All-Big South Preseason team. Last year she was a two-time Defensive Player of the Week honoree and earned second team All-Conference honors. She is HPU's all-time digs leader with 1,860 digs.

High Point will head to Hershkowitz's home state of Arizona for the ASU Sheraton Invitational this weekend. The Panthers will face Arizona State, Utah Valley and UC Riverside in the tournament.