The male Panther of the Week is junior linebacker Elijawah Tolbert from the football team.
Tolbert tied his career high tackles of 11 against Indiana State University. He also had an interception and forced the first fumble of his college career.
With about four minutes left in the second quarter Tolbert forced a fumble after a completed pass by Indiana State. The fumble was recovered by fifth year senior defensive back Russell Dandy.
With about a minute and a half left in the fourth quarter Tolbert intercepted a pass and returned it for one yard.
Tolbert also earned the Big South-OVC Football Association Defensive Player of the Week and the STATS Perform FCS National Defensive Player of the Week presented by FEDEX Ground.
Tolbert is the first Panther to win National Defensive Player of the Week since defensive tackle Dino Fanti in 2015.
The female Panther of the Week is going to senior outside hitter Giovana Larregui López from the volleyball team.
Larregui López led the Panthers in aces throughout the IUPUI Hampton Inn Invite on Friday and Saturday.
Larregui López had four aces against Oral Roberts, three aces against UC Riverside and seven aces against IUPUI.
Larregui López also led the Panthers with kills on Friday as the Panthers beat the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles (3-0) and the UC Riverside Highlanders (3-0).
At the end of the tournament, Larregui López was named the All-Tournament MVP.
The IUPUI All-Tournament Team has a total of seven players that were selected: three players from Eastern, including Larregui López, two players from IUPUI and one player from Oral Roberts and UC Riverside.
The Sports Staff can be reached at 581-2812 or at densportsdesk@gmail.com.
