MINOT, N.D. – The defensive efforts by a pair of Beavers dominated the month of October in Minot State athletics, as junior libero Maya Vibeto and senior defenseman Matthew Yakubowski were honored for their performances.

Vibeto, who led the defense for the Minot State volleyball team, has been named the Pinnacle Employee Benefits Minot State Female Athlete of the Month for October, and Yakubowski, who anchored the Beaver men's hockey team's defense, has been named the Pinnacle Employee Benefits Minot State Male Athlete of the Month for October.

Pinnacle Employee Benefits became the title sponsor for Minot State's Athlete of the Month award during the 2021-22 academic year. The award recognizes the outstanding athletic achievements each month of one male and one female Beaver student-athlete.

A transfer from Bismarck State in her second season with the Beavers, Vibeto set the tone for Minot State's defense with 223 digs in 12 matches during the month of October, averaging 5.87 digs per set. The Our Redeemer's Christian School product eclipsed 20 digs in five matches, which included a career-high 29 digs against Minnesota State Moorhead on Halloween.

Vibeto also added 8 service aces, 26 assists, and 1 kill during October.

On the season, Vibeto has 413 total digs, which ranks No. 6 in Minot State's NCAA-era. She is also averaging 5.37 digs per set, which ranks No. 2 in the NSIC this fall for the Beavers, who lead the NSIC in defense, averaging 18.2 digs per set as a team.

Vibeto and the Beavers wrap up their season on the road this weekend, playing at No. 23 Minnesota Duluth on Friday and at Bemidji State on Saturday.

On the ice, Yakubowski led the way for the 4^th-ranked Beavers defense while making a huge impact offensively, as well, scoring 4 goals and adding 9 assists in 11 games during the month as Minot State went 7-1-3.

Currently on a 10-game point-scoring streak, the senior from Winnipeg, Manitoba, had multiple points with 2 assists in a 3-2 overtime loss at Drury on October 2, and a goal and an assist both against Jamestown in a 5-4 win on October 14, and against Mary in a 6-1 win on October 28.

On the season, Yakubowski is third on the team in total points with 15, with 6 goals and 9 assists.

Along with contributing on offense during the past month, Yakubowski anchored a solid Beaver defensive effort as Minot State posted one shutout win and allowed just 2.25 goals a game to opponents.

Yakubowski and the Beaver men's hockey team are back on the ice this weekend at home, hosting No. 7-ranked Niagara on Friday and Saturday at the Maysa Arena. Puck drops at 7:30 p.m. both nights.