ORLANDO, Fla. - Florida Southern College volleyball's Ella Kuosmanen was named the Sunshine State Conference Defensive Player of the Week after leading the league with 1.50 blocks per set. She earned the honor for the first time in her career.

Kuosmanen helped lead FSC to a 2-0 week, picking up five-set wins over No. 9 Barry and Florida Tech. The victory over Barry marked the Mocs' highest ranked win since 2008.

In the record-setting win over the Buccaneers, Kuosmanen totaled eight blocks and four kills while hitting .333. Four of her blocks came in the deciding fifth set including the game-winning point. Kuosmanen helped hold Barry to just a .149 hitting percentage, their lowest output of the season.

The middle blocker followed up with seven blocks and 10 kills on a .350 clip in the Mocs' 3-2 win over Florida Tech on Saturday. Her 10 kills are tied for a season-high. The Finland native currently ranks fourth in the conference with 1.00 blocks per set on the season.

Kuosmanen is the second Moc to earn SSC Defensive Player of the Week honors this season. Nako Sasaki has won the award twice this year on Sept. 21 and Oct. 5.

The Mocs head to No. 3 Tampa on Tuesday night for a 7:00 p.m. first serve before returning home this weekend to host No. 11 Lynn on Friday and Nova Southeastern on Saturday for Senior Day.