ALFRED, NY – Junior Darian Ortiz (Santa Fe, NM/St. Michael's) of the Alfred University women's volleyball team was named one of two Co-Empire 8 Women's Volleyball Players of the Week on Monday in an official announcement by Associate Commissioner, Joe Venniro.
 
She was joined by Myla Dobson of Hartwick College.
 
Ortiz tied an Alfred University school record en route to being named the 2021 Buffalo State Bengal Challenge Invitational Most Valuable Player, as voted upon by the coaches in attendance on Friday and Saturday. Ortiz helped the Saxons go undefeated as the beat Wells College, Buffalo State College and Medaille College to claim the Bengal Challenge champion title. She stopped an incredible 76 attacks from finding the floor, averaging 25.3 digs per match and 6.9 digs per set as they defeated two opponents in three sets and went the distance with the hosts.
 
She tied the Alfred University record for most digs in a five-set match as she had 38 against the Bengals on Saturday morning. She then came close to tying the school record for most digs in a three-set match, stopping 24 attacks in the weekend closer against Medaille. Ortiz now is averaging 5.53 digs per set which would put her in the Top-50 in the nation for Division III women's volleyball. Ortiz also added 6.0 points on the weekend as she had five aces (three against Wells) and a kill while also assisting on four kills.
 
Ortiz was also named a Saxon of the Week, being joined by men's and women's cross country runners, George Mecca (Derby, NY/Eden) and Mari Jablonski (Monticello, GA/Jasper County) on Monday.
 
Ortiz and the Saxons will next open Empire 8 play as they host the Wolves of Keuka College on Friday in the Terry S. Galanis Family Arena with a 7:00pm first serve.