NEW YORK, N.Y. – For the fourth straight week and the fifth time this season, multiple Villanova softball players earned BIG EAST weekly honors. This time, sophomore Ava Franz earned the conference's Player of the Week, while Kat Gallant was selected to the Honor Roll.

Franz was named Player of the Week after starting each game of Villanova's 3-0 weekend against Creighton, batting .500 with five hits, two doubles, four RBI and two runs scored in addition to making a team-high eight assists out of the second base spot. The sophomore delivered the game-winning hit in VU's seventh-inning comeback on Friday, singling with two outs and the bases loaded to pick up a victory in the Wildcats' home opener. The Pennsylvania native totaled two hits and three RBI in Saturday's series finale, while her performance in Friday's first game included two hits and two walks.

Gallant earned mention on the honor roll as she earned two victories for the 'Cats, tossing a total of 12 innings across two starts. The freshman compiled a 2.92 ERA in her two appearances, striking out eight and walking only one in her time in the circle. The Connecticut native's opening performance for the weekend was a complete-game effort in Friday's game one victory, allowing only two earned runs on 33 batters faced.

The Wildcats have the week off from conference foes, but will take on three separate out-of-league opponents as they take on Towson in a doubleheader on Tuesday, then Delaware and Boston University on Saturday.

BIG EAST Softball Player of the Week
Ava Franz, Villanova
BIG EAST Softball Pitcher of the Week
Payton Kinney, UConn
BIG EAST Softball Freshman of the Week
Natalia Puchino, Creighton
Honor Roll
Lexi Hastings, UConn
Aziah James, UConn
Loreley Francia, St. John's
Kelsey Carr, Seton Hall
Kat Gallant, Villanova