RIO GRANDE VALLEY – Juniors Luanna Emiliano and Kiaraliz Perez of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) volleyball team were named the TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Setter of the Week and Libero of the Week, respectively, on Wednesday. 
 
This is the fourth WAC Setter of the Week award Emiliano has earned in the 2023 season. Emiliano turned in another pair of all-around performances to lead the Vaqueros to a sweep at Abilene Christian and a 3-1 win at Tarleton State. She dished out 81 assists, averaging 11.57 assists per set, and recorded 21 digs, six aces and five blocks in two matches, once again showing her ability to impact a match in every discipline. 
 
Emiliano notched her 13^th double-double at Abilene Christian with 36 assists and 12 digs, also adding two blocks, two aces and one kill. At Tarleton State, she tallied 45 assists, nine digs, three blocks and a season-high tying four aces. 
 
Emiliano continues to lead the WAC with 825 total assists, ranking 22^nd across NCAA Div. I, and is second in the WAC (50^th in the nation) averaging 10.06 assists per set. Her team-leading 35 aces are good for second in the conference and tied for 52^nd in the nation. 
 
Perez secured her second WAC Libero of the Week award after anchoring UTRGV's solid defensive effort which led to an unbeaten weekend. She averaged 5.14 digs per set and racked up four aces, moving across the court quickly to dive for digs and keep rallies alive. She passed efficiently to keep the Vaqueros in rhythm and had some impressive digs against good hitters. Perez recorded 18 digs, two assists and one ace at Abilene Christian. She had 18 digs and three aces in a comeback win at Tarleton State. 
 
Perez ranks fourth in the WAC with 339 digs, ranking 80^th in the nation, and is averaging 4.13 digs per set. She is second on the team with 16 aces and 86 assists. 
 
This is the second time this season UTRGV has earned multiple WAC volleyball awards in the same week. 
 
The Vaqueros will be back in action Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the UTRGV Fieldhouse in a big match against unbeaten Stephen F. Austin. Fans can purchase tickets at GoUTRGV.com/Tickets or by contacting the UTRGV Ticket Sales and Operations team of Ryela Rodriguez (956-665-3747) or Eddie Galvan (956-665-3415) over the phone or through email at tickets@utrgv.edu.
 
UTRGV WAC Weekly Volleyball Awards
Setter of the Week 
Luanna Emiliano (Oct. 25) 
Luanna Emiliano (Oct. 11)
Luanna Emiliano (Sept. 27)
Luanna Emiliano (Sept. 6) 
 
Libero of the Week 
Kiaraliz Perez (Oct. 25) 
Kiaraliz Perez (Oct. 11) 

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