Barton Community College volleyball's Kiara Rivera recently was named the KJCCC Verizon Wireless Co-Defensive Player of the Week.  Sharing the honor with Colby Community College's Danielle Rodriguez, the sophomore from Puerto Rico, Rivera helped anchor the defense in leading the Lady Cougars to two road conference victories.  The 5'0" libero had 31 digs in seven sets to average 4.42 digs per set while also dishing out 9 assists, and a 2.4 (on 3.0 scale) serve receive passing percentage for the week.

This week Rivera had a team high eleven digs in three sets versus Cloud County Community College as the Lady Cougars won their fourth straight match.  Barton improved to 11-18 overall and secured fourth place in the conference jumping over the T-birds at 7-6 in the standings.  The Cougars' victory over Cloud also ensured hosting the T-birds again in a first round Region VI playoff match October 30 regardless of Barton's season finale Thursday at first-place Colby Community College.