SPRINGFIELD, MO - A day after earning Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week honors, Missouri State junior setter Carly Thomas was named the National Player of the Week according to College Volleyball Update (CVU.com). Thomas is the third Bear in the last five seasons to earn the distinction, joining Bethany Fuller (Nov. 30, 2008) and Cara Hackmann (Oct. 13, 2009).

Thomas led Missouri State in hitting percentage (.273), digs (4.5/set) and assists (12.12/set) in wins over UNI and Bradley, tallying 18 kills, 97 assists, 36 digs, two aces and three blocks in two matches. She directed the MSU offense to a .230 hitting percentage and averages of 16.25 kills and 15.38 assists per set, which both rate ahead of the NCAA leader in 2012.

Friday, Thomas notched her third triple-double of the season with 10 kills, 50 assists and 17 digs while hitting .381 against Bradley. Then on Saturday, she directed the MSU offense to a .336 hitting percentage over the final three sets against UNI in a 3-1 win. She finished the match with 47 assists, 19 digs and eight kills to threaten a second-straight triple-double, adding three blocks and a service ace in handing UNI just its second league loss since 2008.

The Bears (13-12, 7-6 MVC) play at Illinois State at 7 p.m. Friday and Indiana State at 6 p.m. Saturday. Missouri State hosts the MVC Championship Nov. 22-24 at Hammons Student Center.