WESTERVILLE, Ohio – Baldwin Wallace University sophomore All-OAC libero Lauren Gardner (Avon/Saint Joseph Academy) was named Ohio Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week for the third time in her career. 

Gardner helped guide BW (6-2) to a 4-0 record last week, defeating Hiram College in the 2022 home opener and going 3-0 at the Bluffton Spiketacular. The Yellow Jackets were tournament champions after topping Bethany (W.Va.) College, Bluffton University, and University of Pittsburgh (Pa.) at Bradford, where Gardner was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

Averaging 7.8 digs per set on the week, Gardner totaled 117 digs, 17 assists, and five service aces. In the four-set win over Bethany, she totaled a near career-high of 35 digs. Gardner tallied another 33 digs (11 d/s) in the 3-0 sweep of Pitt.-Bradford, and added four service aces in the match against Bluffton.

This year, Gardner has so far posted 191 digs, second-most in the OAC, and leads the OAC in digs per set, averaging 6.58. She has also totaled 23 assists and eight aces. In her career, she has racked up 726 digs, 114 assists, and 41 aces. 

Gardner was awarded OAC Defensive Player of the Week twice last year, on October 4, 2021 and October 18, 2021.

The Yellow Jackets are back in action Wednesday, September 14 as they travel crosstown to face Case Western Reserve University in another non-conference showdown. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m. in Horsburgh Gymnasium inside the Veale Center.