Toutai Earns Big West Defensive Player of the Week Honors

9/14/2026 3:59:00 PM

OREM, Utah — Utah Valley senior Lani Toutai was named Big West Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, becoming the first Wolverine to earn the honor this season. The award marks the eighth conference weekly honor of Toutai's career.

"I couldn't be happier for Lani," said UVU head coach Sam Atoa. "She works hard every day in practice and competition and is always looking for ways to help her teammates improve."

Toutai set a new career high with 32 digs in Utah Valley's five-set victory over Radford on Saturday. The West Jordan native averaged nearly five digs per set during the weekend and totaled 65 digs across the two matches.

Against Kansas City on Friday, Toutai also contributed offensively, recording 20 digs, nine assists and three service aces in another five-set Wolverine victory.

Toutai continues to climb the national rankings among active career leaders in digs. She enters the week tied for 12th nationally with Youngstown State's Abbie Householder.

The weekly honor adds to an already decorated career for Toutai. She earned WAC Libero of the Week honors three times last season and was named the Preseason WAC Libero of the Year in 2024.

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