Rivera was remarkable in the libero role for the Blackbirds over the weekend, averaging 7.75 digs per set in a pair of wins over conference rivals Bryant and Central Connecticut. After finishing last season with a league-high five NEC Defensive Player of the Week Awards, Rivera became a two-time winner of the weekly accolade this season. The Puerto Rican native was a defensive force against a Bryant team that leads the NEC in kills per set (13.40), digging up 33 Bulldog attempts in the four-set victory. The 33 digs tied her season-high and matched the NEC-high this season despite both totals coming in four-set matches. The junior almost reached that number again on Sunday with 29 digs in another four-set win over CCSU. Rivera leads the NEC in digs per set by almost an entire dig with a 5.35 average, and has racked up a league-best 6.14 per set in conference matches.