Rock Hill, S.C.----Wingate University senior middle blocker Emily Johnson has been named the WePlayed Sports South Atlantic Conference volleyball Defensive Player of the Week, league officials announced Monday afternoon. Johnson earns Player of the Week accolades for the first time this season and seventh time in her career.

Johnson helped lead the #21 Bulldogs to a pair of SAC sweeps last week, as Wingate moved to 11-1 overall and 4-0 in the SAC. The 'Dogs swept past Coker at home Tuesday, then picked up an impressive 3-0 victory at Carson-Newman Friday night, handing the Eagles just their second loss of the season.

Johnson piled up eight blocks on the week, adding seven digs while also notching 14 kills with a .407 hitting percentage to go along with three aces. Johnson had five blocks in the sweep against Coker Tuesday night, while collecting six kills in eight swings to hit .750, adding four digs and an ace. She registered three more blocks Friday night to go along with three digs and two aces, while notching eight more kills. Johnson helped the Bulldogs hold Carson-Newman to a season-low .115 hitting percentage on the night.

Johnson is averaging 2.14 kills per set this season, adding 0.94 blocks per set while hitting .328 on the year. She has also registered 34 digs and 10 aces on the year. A D2CCA second team All-American in 2022, the three-time All-SAC and All-Region honoree has earned AVCA honorable mention accolades all three years of her career.

Wingate is back in action Tuesday, hosting Lenoir-Rhyne at 7 p.m. The 'Dogs welcome Lincoln Memorial to Cuddy Arena Friday night at 7 p.m.