OXFORD, Ohio -- Quickly establishing herself as one of the best defensive talents in not only the River States Conference, but in the NAIA realm, Shawnee State senior libero Megan Steele was named as the River States Conference Defender of the Week for the second time in the 2025 season as well as in her career, with No. 4 being recognized by conference officials Monday afternoon with the award.

Steele again enjoyed a strong weekend on the backline -- tallying 45 digs with just one reception error in 36 service receptions total for a .971 reception percentage in SSU's weekend victories over Oakland City (Ind.) and Brescia (Ky.), helping the Bears claim a 16-6 overall record and a 6-1 mark in River States Conference play to start the season. The 16-6 start to 2025 represents SSU's first time at or above 10 games above .500 since 2012 and its best start since going 17-5 over its first 22 matches in that 2012 season.

Overall, Steele sits second among all River States Conference defenders in digs (422) and leads the conference in digs per set (5.28) as of Sunday (10/4/25).

For more information regarding the Shawnee State volleyball program, visit https://ssubears.com/sports/womens-volleyball, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057197839907 and https://www.instagram.com/ssuvb/.