LANCASTER, Pa.- First-year outside hitter/defensive specialist Mia Mascherino was named the final Centennial Conference Defensive Player of the Week of 2026 following her role in a 2-0 week that secured a 10-0 Centennial Conference record and the top seed in this year's conference tournament. 

Mascherino's back-row defense proved vital to Franklin & Marshall completing a two-win week that secured the team's sixth 10-0 Centennial Conference season and the top seed in the conference tournament. She averaged 3.25 digs per set (26) total while contributing 12 kills and four aces. In Wednesday's straight-set sweep of Bryn Mawr, she totaled five kills with a .250 hitting percentage with eight digs and one ace. In Saturday's five-set victory over Swarthmore she recorded a career-high 18 digs with three aces, seven kills, and two assists. 

The Diplomats open the 2026 Centennial Conference Volleyball Tournament in the semifinal round on Friday, November 13, at 7 p.m. facing the lower-seeded first-round winner. A preview of the match will be released on Thursday.