PORTLAND, Ore. - Tessa Onaga, senior libero for the Nanooks volleyball team, was named the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday, Sept. 8. This honor is Onaga's second of the season and the fourth of her career in Fairbanks. 

"Tessa is so consistent at her position," said head coach Brian Scott. "Last weekend was no exception – she was great as usual leading our defense and serve-receive. I think she was especially good at giving out-of-system balls to our hitters whenever our setters defended. Her 10 assists against a very good Minnesota Mankato team were impressive."

In just three matches last week, Onaga's production was huge. Not only on the defensive side, but the offensive side as well. In match one of the Denali State Bank Ice Block Classic, Onaga had a 15-dig, four-assist performance while adding a service ace in the Nanooks' sweep of Tiffin. The next day, Onaga played a pivotal role in the five-set win over RV Minnesota State. She posted a pair of season-high totals, picking up 30 digs and dishing 10 assists for a double-double performance. She added another ace in the win. Finally, in the Nanooks' finale during the Denali State Bank Ice Block Classic, she had another strong showing, posting 13 digs, four assists, and an ace. 

On the weekend, she finished with 58 total digs, for 5.27 per set. She added 18 total assists for 1.64 per set, and three aces for 0.27 per set. 

Through the opening three weeks of the 2026 season, Onaga current ranks sixth in the NCAA Division II with 5.79 digs per set. 

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