The volleyball team (8-7) continues to buzz as players are recognized for their strong play.

The latest award announced freshman Marcela Urbina as Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week, the first-ever ULM volleyball player to receive this honor.

“I am proud, but it shows our teamwork as a whole,” Urbina said.

For ULM, a team in the midst of rebuilding, Urbina and senior Lacey Dietlin have been working to fill the holes on defense.

Dietlin said, “Even though she (Urbina) is quiet, she speaks loudly with her great defense.”

She comes from Costa Rica and brings a lot of experience to this program as she competed on the 2010 and 2011 U-20 National Team representing her country at the Women’s Pan American Cup.

The Costa Rica native represents ULM now, and she said her focus has not changed, but the level of play has.

She said the team works hard together to build a relationship on and off the court.

“We are a very close team,” Urbina said. “We are sisters, and we treat each other that way.”

Fans seem to appreciate the strides the program has made and are flocking to the ULM Activity Center.

Urbina said, “It’s nice; we feel really supported, by other student-athletes especially.”