Providence, R.I. - - For the third time in four total weeks, a University of South Florida volleyball player was recognized by the BIG EAST Conference for their outstanding play.

Bulls' setter Mariana Thon was named to the BIG EAST Honor Roll after taking the MVP of the Best Western Invitational and leading her team to a perfect 4-0 weekend record.

Thon accumulated 139 assists, 37 digs, 11 kills, 10 aces and seven block assists during three-set sweeps over Georgia Southern, Harvard and James Madison, along with a four-set victory against Toledo.

“I was really pleased with her confidence, poise and the way she ran our offense,” said Lessinger of Thon's weekend performance.  “She did everything we asked her to do and she allowed her natural athleticism to take over.”

Thon is the second Bull to capture attention from the conference this season, with Marcela Gurgel earning Player of the Week on Sept. 1 and then Honor Roll status on Sept. 15.

During the Best Western Invitational, Thon was USF's primary setter throughout all four matches and produced in many impressive ways.  In the match against the Rockets of Toledo, Thon set career-highs in aces (5), digs (16) and total points (8.0).

Through 14 matches this season, USF possesses a 9-5 record including two different stretches where the team has won four in a row.

The Bulls, along with a four-match win streak, will also be riding a perfect 7-0 home slate into BIG EAST play that opens up this Friday evening at The Corral.

Notre Dame (5-7) comes to Tampa for a showdown at 7 p.m. Friday that will open up conference play for both schools.  Then on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m., the Bulls will face off with the visiting DePaul Blue Demons (1-10).