California State University Northridge Athletics
Photo by: Chuck Marvel
Okolo Named Big West Defensive Player of the Week
8/31/2026 1:17:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
IRVINE, Calif. - In the first Big West Women's Volleyball weekly awards of the 2026 season, CSUN senior middle blocker Iye Okolo was named Defensive Player of the Week honor on Monday (Aug. 31).Â
The award is the first career weekly honor for Okolo, who led CSUN's defensive effort in three matches at the Buffs Classic in Boulder, Colo. last weekend.
Okolo posted a team-high 23 total blocks in three matches, averaging 1.92 blocks per set which leads the Big West after the opening weekend of action. In the Matadors' five-set loss to Denver, Okolo posted a match and career-high 14 blocks including three solo stuffs. On the offensive end, she also added seven kills (.261) along with a match and career-high 14 blocks including three solo stuffs.
"I'm incredibly proud of Iye's defensive performance this week," said head coach Aquiles Montoya. "Averaging close to two blocks per set in a weekend full of incredible teams and attackers is awesome. She'd be the first to tell you that this recognition is with her teammates help as well. When our serving and attacking allows our block to set up early and aggressively we get more blocks especially with how our pin blockers lined up as well.
"I thought we had a couple players that could have won the award this week which ultimately tells me that our team's defense is trending in the right direction," Montoya added. "We feel like she's always in that running, but know that our team's success helps her get recognized a little more. Iye is taking on more of a leadership role this year and wants to be coached hard, so everyone knows how deserving she truly is of anything that comes her way. Super proud of her and our team for this past week."
CSUN continues tournament play this week, taking on Kansas State and Drake in two matches of the Wildcat Classic in Manhattan, Kansas (Sept 4-5).
#GoMatadors
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The award is the first career weekly honor for Okolo, who led CSUN's defensive effort in three matches at the Buffs Classic in Boulder, Colo. last weekend.
Okolo posted a team-high 23 total blocks in three matches, averaging 1.92 blocks per set which leads the Big West after the opening weekend of action. In the Matadors' five-set loss to Denver, Okolo posted a match and career-high 14 blocks including three solo stuffs. On the offensive end, she also added seven kills (.261) along with a match and career-high 14 blocks including three solo stuffs.
"I'm incredibly proud of Iye's defensive performance this week," said head coach Aquiles Montoya. "Averaging close to two blocks per set in a weekend full of incredible teams and attackers is awesome. She'd be the first to tell you that this recognition is with her teammates help as well. When our serving and attacking allows our block to set up early and aggressively we get more blocks especially with how our pin blockers lined up as well.
"I thought we had a couple players that could have won the award this week which ultimately tells me that our team's defense is trending in the right direction," Montoya added. "We feel like she's always in that running, but know that our team's success helps her get recognized a little more. Iye is taking on more of a leadership role this year and wants to be coached hard, so everyone knows how deserving she truly is of anything that comes her way. Super proud of her and our team for this past week."
CSUN continues tournament play this week, taking on Kansas State and Drake in two matches of the Wildcat Classic in Manhattan, Kansas (Sept 4-5).
#GoMatadors
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Players Mentioned
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