ST. LOUIS -- The Missouri Valley Conference announced its final weekly honors for the 2025 season on Monday. Belmont's Brenna Kauffeld and Erin McMullen were named the MVC Player and Freshman of the Week, respectively. Illinois State's Arianna Rossi was tabbed the MVC Defensive Player of the Week. 



PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Brenna Kauffeld, Belmont, Jr., Outside Hitter/Right Side - Ashville, Ohio (Teays Valley HS)
Brenna Kauffeld powered the Bruins’ offense with 31 kills on an impressive .397 hitting clip this week, highlighted by a season-high 16 kills at Murray State. She added 12 total blocks and seven digs across the two matches, including eight blocks and 19.5 points against UNI. The junior averaged 3.88 kills, 4.69 points and 1.50 blocks per set as Belmont secured the final spot in the 2025 MVC Volleyball Championship field.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Arianna Rossi, Illinois State, Sr., Libero - Bergamo, Italy (Imiberg HS / Florida Southwestern / Southern Utah)
Illinois State's Arianna Rossi was outstanding in the back row, leading the MVC with 52 total digs and 5.78 digs per set on the week. She recorded back-to-back 20-plus dig performances, including 27 in four sets against UIC—the highest total in the league for a four-set match this week. Rossi also added 11 assists and provided steady serve-receive to anchor the Redbirds’ defense.

FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Erin McMullen, Belmont, Fr., Middle Blocker - Miami, Fla. (Doral Academy Preparatory School)
Erin McMullen delivered another strong week in the middle for Belmont, posting identical six-kill performances against Murray State and UNI while adding nine total blocks on the weekend. She hit at an impressive .357 clip on the week and averaged 1.13 blocks per set. McMullen also contributed from the service line with two aces and a pair of digs, continuing her steady two-way production as a key piece of Belmont’s front-row defense.