Last Week’s Stats: 1.75 blocks per set
For the second time in as many weeks, a Shark has landed NEC/Molten Defensive Player of the Week distinction as senior Yasmeen Muhammad follows in the footsteps of junior libero/defensive specialist Reese Teeves. The senior middle blocker swarmed the net last week to the tune of 1.75 blocks per set to lead LIU to an impressive 2-0 record at the Butler Invitational. During that stretch, the Sharks handed Duke their second loss of the season after taking down the ACC squad in five on Saturday before they scored a straight-set defeat of host-team Butler on Sunday. Against the Blue Devils, Muhammad, who hit .500 with 10 kills, was the centerpiece of a Sharks’ unit that held a commanding 14-8 advantage in blocks after she registered a season-best seven rejections. The win marked LIU’s second-straight against a Power 4 opponent as it came six days after the Sharks defeated ACC opponent Virginia Tech in Chicago. Less than 24 hours, she guided the Sharks to a 3-0 victory against the Bulldogs with a seven-kill and seven-block performance. In addition to her defensive prowess, Muhammad compiled a sizzling .484 hitting percentage against the ACC and Big East foes after she recorded 17 kills with just two miscues in 31 swings. Muhammad enters the week ranked second in the league in hitting percentage (.355), while her 0.91 blocks per set are good for fourth.