LOCK HAVEN, Pa. (Nov. 3) – After helping lead the program to a pair of five-set victories over the weekend, California (PA) senior Caroline Mercer was selected the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West Defensive Athlete of the Week on Monday afternoon.

Mercer averaged 5.79 digs per set over three matches last week, as the Vulcans registered a pair of five-set wins in league play. She tallied 19 digs and seven assists in a 3-1 non-conference loss against Walsh (Ohio) on Tuesday. The Cavaliers entered the match undefeated in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play. On Friday, Mercer established a career high with 33 digs and added six assists in a 3-2 victory over Slippery Rock. The Ohio native finished the week with 29 digs and eight assists on Saturday in a 3-2 win against Clarion, as the Vulcans swept the season series with the Golden Eagles for the first time since 2016.

A 5-foot-4 libero, Mercer ranks seventh in the PSAC with 4.25 digs per set while her 412 total digs are the fifth-most in the league. She has collected at least 20 digs in six matches this year, including three times over the last five matches.

Mercer, who previously played two years at Bethany (WV), a NCAA Division III program in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC), became the program's first libero since 2021 to receive the weekly honor. Overall, the Vulcans have earned three weekly league awards this year after collecting just two total honors over the previous three seasons.

Cal continues its seven-match homestand on Friday, Nov. 7, when it hosts Edinboro at the Convocation Center, beginning at 6 p.m. The Vulcans and Fighting Scots enter the final two weeks of the regular season tied for fifth place in the PSAC West standings.