California volleyball libero Sophia Johnson has been named the ACC Defensive Player of the Week for her outstanding performances against Virginia Tech and Virginia this past weekend, as announced by the ACC on Monday. This is the first such honor for Johnson, who averaged 5.29 digs per set to help the Golden Bears to their first 2-0 start in conference play since 2011; it is also the first defensive player of the week award by any Cal player since Kat Brown in 2012 and just the fifth in program history.
 
After posting 16 digs in Cal's sweep of the Hokies and 21 digs in the Bears' 3-1 win over the Cavaliers, Johnson has now reached double-digit digs in five straight matches. She also posted six assists and one ace in each of the past two contests, as well as a perfect 1.000 serve-receive percentage on 16 receptions against Virginia Tech. As a team, Cal helped hold Virginia to a .016 hitting percentage, its lowest of the season.
 
Johnson and the Bears will return to action at Haas Pavilion on Friday, taking on No. 6 Louisville at 7 p.m. PT.
 
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