NORTHAMPTON, Mass. — Smith College's Ruth Tullis (Edmond, OK/Oklahoma Christian School) was named the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week, the conference announced Monday. The honor is the first weekly award of Tullis's career.

Tullis led the Bears in digs in both matches of a 2-0 week that included a win over No. 19 Babson College. She totaled 34 digs across seven sets, an average of 4.9 per set, as Smith improved to 12-1 overall and 2-0 in NEWMAC play.

Tullis opened the week with a team-high 15 digs in a 25-15, 25-22, 25-18 sweep of Coast Guard on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at Ainsworth Gymnasium. She also sparked the Bears from the service line, keying a first-set run that stretched a 10-5 lead to 15-5 and another second-set run that helped Smith erase a 10-5 deficit.

On Saturday, Tullis posted a match-high 19 digs in a 3-1 win at No. 19 Babson, handing the Beavers just their fourth home loss since the start of the 2023 season. Her serving run in the second set turned an 8-4 lead into a 12-4 advantage, and Smith finished with a 61-53 edge in digs.

Smith returns to action Tuesday, Sept. 29, at Springfield College at 7 p.m.

About Smith Athletics
Smith College is a NCAA Division III member of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) that sponsors 11 intercollegiate sports. For more information, log on to GoSmithBears.com and follow the Bears on Facebook and Instagram.