FORREST, Va. -- University of Lynchburg junior middle hitter Ava Meinhardt has been named the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday afternoon.

Meinhardt and the Hornets went 3-0 over the past week, sweeping Randolph-Macon, Stevenson, and Rutgers–Camden in straight sets.

The 6'0" Jefferson City, Mo., native was a force at the net throughout the stretch. She opened the week with 4.5 total blocks against the Yellow Jackets, including three solo blocks to match her second-highest single-match total this season.

In Lynchburg's first match of Saturday's doubleheader, Meinhardt posted 1.5 total blocks and four digs while adding 12 kills on an impressive .455 hitting percentage. She closed the weekend with 2.5 total blocks and two digs against Rutgers–Camden, bringing her weekly totals to 8.5 blocks (five solo) and six digs.

This marks Meinhardt's first Player of the Week honor of the season. She now joins fellow middle hitter Leah DiNardo as the two Hornets to earn a weekly conference award in the 2025 campaign.

Meinhardt and the Hornets (22-2, 8-1 ODAC) look to close out the regular season strong, with four matches remaining. Lynchburg will play its home regular-season finale on Wednesday, Oct. 29.

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--LYN--