KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Bluefield University men's volleyball middle hitter Mamadou Dieng has been named the NAIA Men's Volleyball Defender of the Week, the national office announced Tuesday afternoon.

Dieng, who also earned Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Defender of the Week honors earlier this week, becomes the first Bluefield player to receive a national weekly award since Alberto Chiaparini was named NAIA Attacker of the Week in 2021. It also marked the first conference Player of the Week honor of Dieng's career.

The Conakry, Guinea native anchored the Rams at the net across two matches last week, totaling nine blocks while averaging 1.5 blocks per set. He also contributed offensively, recording six kills in Tuesday's match against Rio Grande before following with a season-high seven kills against Carolina on Saturday. For the week, Dieng totaled 13 kills while hitting an impressive .579.

On the season, Dieng ranks seventh in the AAC with 0.73 blocks per set.

Bluefield returns to action Thursday when the Rams travel to face Shenandoah. First serve is set for 6:00 p.m