Colorado State University Athletics
Richards Named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week
9/22/2026 2:00:00 PM | Volleyball
Senior earns conference award ahead of first week Pac-12 play
FORT COLLINS – Colorado State volleyball middle blocker Kekua Richards was named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week for the first time this season after leading the Rams to a dominant win against No. 17 Colorado to keep the Golden Spike in Fort Collins. Â
Richards contributed 17 block assists in a 1-1 week against No. 17 Colorado last week, averaging 2.43 blocks per set. On the season so far, Richards finishes with 43 total blocks heading into conference play.Â
Out of the senior's 17 blocks against Colorado, seven came in the dominant second match Friday, with a sweep against the Buffs. Richards out-blocked Colorado individually in the sweep against the Buffs on Saturday night, nine to seven. Richards has been a force on defense for the Rams throughout non-conference play and looks to continue as the Rams start conference this week.Â
Richards also totaled 12 kills offensively, contributing both to the offense and defense for the Rams, finishing the weekend with 20.5 points.Â
The team will kick off its conference play at home against San Diego State on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. before traveling to face Texas State on Saturday at 11:00 am for first road-conference match.Â
