Fever's Catchings is WNBA's Top Defender

Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings was named the WNBA's defensive player of the year for the third time on Friday.

Catchings won easily with 34 votes. Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker and Atlanta Dream center Erika de Souza both received two votes and two other players received a single vote.

Catchings also won the award in 2005 and 2006. She joins Sheryl Swoopes as the only three-time winners.

Catchings' 99 steals this season were one shy of the WNBA's single-season record of 100 set by New York's Teresa Weatherspoon in 1998.

Catchings led the league in steals per game (2.91) for the fifth time.

The Fever host Detroit in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals on Friday. They trail 1-0 in the best-of-three series.