Michigan's Ryley Plunkett Named March 1 Women's Varsity Western Division Defensive Player of the Week
BRIDGEPORT, Pa. -- Ryley Plunkett (Jr., Modesto, Calif./Johansen) of No. 5-nationally ranked the University of Michigan registered one goal, five assists, 18 steals, two field blocks and one kick-out drawn in a 3-3 week at the University of California-Irvine Invitational to earn accolades as the March 1 Women's Varsity Western Division Defensive Player of the Week.
Against Siena College she tallied a gaol, an assist and four steals as the Wolverines rolled to a 15-3 win. She contributed an assist and four steals in an 11-4 victory over California Lutheran University and tacked on three steals in a 6-4 defeat of No. 13-ranked San Diego State University.
Facing No. 3 ranked and defending National Champion the University of California-Los Angeles, she netted an assist, three steals and a kickout drawn as the Bruins escaped 7-5. She added an assist and two steals in an 11-6 loss to No. 8-ranked Arizona State University before tacking on an assist, two steals and a pair of field blocks in a 10-3 loss to No. 10-ranked San Jose State University.
The award marks the first weekly accolade of Plunkett's career. Through the first 18 games of the season, she has 24 steals, needing just two more to match the career high she set as a rookie during the 2008 season.