FAIRMONT, W.Va. — West Liberty University redshirt freshman libero/defensive specialist Taylor Speake has been named the Mountain East Conference Defensive Player of the Week after helping the Hilltoppers post a 2-0 record last week.

The MEC announced its weekly volleyball awards Monday. The honors are presented by The Health Plan.

Speake, a native of Bozeman, Montana, totaled 45 digs in West Liberty's two victories, anchoring the Hilltoppers' defensive effort throughout the week.

Speake opened the week with a team-high 18 digs in West Liberty's 3-0 sweep of Point Park on Sept. 29.

She saved her biggest performance for the Hilltoppers' five-set victory over Frostburg State on Oct. 2, recording a season-high 27 digs to help West Liberty secure the win.

The 27-dig effort was the highest single-match total of Speake's young collegiate career and gave her 45 digs across the two victories.

The MEC Defensive Player of the Week honor is the first of Speake's career and gives West Liberty its first conference defensive player of the week selection of the 2026 season.

Speake is the sixth different player to earn the MEC Defensive Player of the Week award this season.

With Keni earning Offensive Player of the Week honors, West Liberty swept the MEC's weekly volleyball awards for the week of Oct. 5.





West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students' aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at westliberty.edu.