Mahala Ruffner Award Women's Basketball Defensive Player of the Week (VOLT) Week Of 1/15/2024 Sport Women's Basketball School Penn State Berks Year Freshman Position Center Hometown Bethel, PA High School Tulpehocken Defensive Player of the Week - Volt Division Mahala Ruffner / FY / Penn State Berks / Bethel, Pa. / Tulpehocken HS Ruffner had a huge week for the Nittany Lions as the first-year center averaged 11.7 points, 16.3 rebounds, 3.3 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game. Ruffner had a career-high in rebounds (20) and blocked shots (4) against Cedar Crest College while contributing nine points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks against St. Mary's College. Ruffner finished off the week with the second double-double of the season after recording a season-high 22 points to go along with 15 boards and three blocks against Lancaster Bible College. Ruffner currently sits 5th in the United East averaging 10.9 Rebounds per Game, 4th with 163 Total Rebounds and 5th in Blocked Shots (18 Total; 1.2 per Game). This is the first Player of the Week honor for Ruffner.