LA MIRADA, Calif. --- For the second week in a row Biola University has claimed a PacWest Conference Defensive Player of the Week honor. Last week was in women's soccer and this week it's Tess Van Grouw bringing home the hardware for Biola Volleyball.
 
Van Grouw anchored Biola's defensive effort in a gritty five-set win over Concordia University Irvine in the Eagles' PacWest debut on Saturday evening. Van Grouw played four of the five sets as BU's libero and ended up with a season-best 30 digs. She also added two service aces, also a new season-best.
 
"Tess brings a calming, motherly presence to the team," said Head Coach Aaron Seltzer. "She is our most experience player. She does not get rattled at all and gets really locked in. Everybody watches her prepare, because she is a student of the game. She's the rock and anchor of our team and did a great job with our defense this weekend."
 
Van Grouw led a Biola defense that came away with an astounding 96 digs and held Concordia to just a .112 attack percentage on Saturday evening. Her efforts also helped Biola out-ace the host Eagles 6-2.
 
Biola improved to 7-2 (1-0 PacWest) with the win and they have a big date scheduled on Friday evening as the PacWest schedule continues with a 6:00 p.m. road match against arch nemesis Azusa Pacific. It will be the first countable contest in the history of the Cornerstone Cup.