KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Peru State (Neb.) junior center Kylie Diaz has been named the NAIA Women’s Basketball Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season after a stretch that showcased her ability to control the paint, erase shots at the rim and finish possessions with rebounds.

Across three games from Jan. 26–31, Diaz anchored the Bobcats’ interior defense with 14 total blocks in 87 minutes, an average of 4.7 blocks per game. 

Diaz’s best defensive work came in back-to-back outings at Park (Mo.) and Mount Mercy (Iowa). In a 64–57 win at Park on Jan. 28, she posted 11 rebounds and six blocks while playing 34 minutes, repeatedly turning stops into opportunities for Peru State to run or reset its offense. She followed that performance on Jan. 31 with an even bigger presence in a 67–45 win at Mount Mercy, recording 18 rebounds and seven blocks in 34 minutes. 

Even in the team's loss against Benedictine (Kan.), Diaz tallied a block in 19 minutes while battling foul trouble.

Over the full week, she also averaged 10.7 rebounds per game (32 total).

Diaz also contributed offensively during the week, averaging 14.7 points per game and scoring 19 points in each of the two wins.