One week in the West Coast Conferenc one player of the week honor for the WSU volleyball team. Sophomore libero Emma Barbero won the WCC Defensive Player of the Week for the first week of the season after leading the WCC with 5.14 digs per set, the league announced Monday. 

“She’s a competitor. I think any drill that we do, any game that we do in practice, she’s close to the top or goes ahead and wins the drill,” head coach Korey Schroeder said. “But I think the big thing is just, she’s having fun, enjoying playing volleyball.” 

Barbero said she did not know that the WCC did a weekly award and was shocked to hear she had won it. She is glad to get the award but is much prouder of the team meshing together so early in the season. 

“I didn’t even care about myself that much. We wanted to be better as a team. We wanted to win. So, It’s cool and I’m happy about it, but not the focus,” she said. 

Last year, Barbero learned behind libero Karly Basham while earning some playing time primarily later in sets. Of all the things she learned from Basham, something less quantifiable made the biggest difference. 

“It was her personality. We had a really good friendship and she was amazing on and off the court. Her personality was really helpful for me,” Barbero said. “I want to be myself on the court. Her and I have different skillsets, but I took a lot from her.” 

Last season, Barbero played in 55 sets. She finished with 55 digs and nine service aces. Already in 2024, she has 72 digs and three service aces, making the most of her newfound role as the primary libero. 

Teammates are recognizing not only the production, but the work Barbero has put in over the offseason to get to this point so early in 2024.

“It’s kind of just a given, she’s that good,” Katy Ryan said. “She really showed up this weekend and really puts in the work every day.”