Boise State Athletics
Smith Named MW Defensive Player of the Week
11/24/2025 11:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
The junior averaged 2.83 blocks in Boise State's 2-0 week
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – For the first time in her career, Boise State middle blocker Layla Smith was named the Old Trapper Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week for the period ending Nov. 23, the conference office announced on Monday.Â
Smith helped the Broncos stretch their winning streak to three matches after back-to-back sweeps at home last week. The Humble, Texas product led Boise State with 17 blocks, including two solo blocks and 15 block assists. The Broncos held their two opponents to a combined .055 hitting percentage and, powered by Smith, had 25.0 total blocks.
In six sets last week, Smith averaged 2.83 blocks as well as 1.33 kills (eight kills) and 0.33 digs (two digs). The Broncos as a team averaged 4.17 blocks.
Smith is the team's leading blocker this year as she has 156 blocks. The junior is 10th in the country in total blocks and 16th in blocks per set with 1.46.
This is the third time a Bronco has picked up the MW weekly honor this season as Bre Mitchell won the defensive honor twice (last: Oct. 6).
Boise State finished the season tied with Colorado State and Wyoming for the most MW Defensive Player of the Week honors.
The No. 4 seed Broncos will take on No. 5 seed Grand Canyon in the first round of the 2025 Mountain West Volleyball Championship on Wednesday at 1 p.m. PT/2 p.m. MT. Boise State and the Lopes will square off at The Pavilion in Las Vegas. The match can also be watched on the MW Network.
Old Trapper Mountain West Women's Volleyball Players of the Week
Nov. 24, 2025
Offensive: Tierney Barlow, Utah State
Defensive: Layla Smith, Boise State
Freshman: Lauren Laurkin, Utah State
Smith helped the Broncos stretch their winning streak to three matches after back-to-back sweeps at home last week. The Humble, Texas product led Boise State with 17 blocks, including two solo blocks and 15 block assists. The Broncos held their two opponents to a combined .055 hitting percentage and, powered by Smith, had 25.0 total blocks.
In six sets last week, Smith averaged 2.83 blocks as well as 1.33 kills (eight kills) and 0.33 digs (two digs). The Broncos as a team averaged 4.17 blocks.
Smith is the team's leading blocker this year as she has 156 blocks. The junior is 10th in the country in total blocks and 16th in blocks per set with 1.46.
This is the third time a Bronco has picked up the MW weekly honor this season as Bre Mitchell won the defensive honor twice (last: Oct. 6).
Boise State finished the season tied with Colorado State and Wyoming for the most MW Defensive Player of the Week honors.
The No. 4 seed Broncos will take on No. 5 seed Grand Canyon in the first round of the 2025 Mountain West Volleyball Championship on Wednesday at 1 p.m. PT/2 p.m. MT. Boise State and the Lopes will square off at The Pavilion in Las Vegas. The match can also be watched on the MW Network.
Old Trapper Mountain West Women's Volleyball Players of the Week
Nov. 24, 2025
Offensive: Tierney Barlow, Utah State
Defensive: Layla Smith, Boise State
Freshman: Lauren Laurkin, Utah State
Players Mentioned
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