TicketSmarter WAC Volleyball Players of the Week Announced
DENVER – Chicago State outside hitter Yanlis Feliz and Grand Canyon Libero Teagan DeFalco have been named the Western Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Volleyball Players of the Week, respectively, for the week of August 30 through September 5. Additionally, Sam Houston's Hannah Baker has earned Freshman of the Week honors.
Feliz, a redshirt sophomore from Pedernales, Dominican Republic, led the Cougars' offense at the Windy City Classic last week, averaging 6.40 kills per set while maintaining a .336 hitting percentage. Feliz recorded a career-high 27 kills on .426 hitting in a sweep of North Dakota State on Friday. She also finished the week averaging 7.0 points per set. On the season, Feliz paces all WAC hitters as she tallies 4.82 kills per set for Chicago State.
DeFalco, a graduate student from Long Beach, Calif., was an anchor on the backline last week as the Lopes did not drop a single set at the GCU Invitational. She was named Libero of the Tournament behind 5.78 digs per set, including a season-high 20 digs against Rider on Saturday. DeFalco's 4.95 digs per set on the season leads the Lopes as they carry the lone undefeated record into the third week of play.
Baker, a defensive specialist from Deer Park, Texas, helped lead the Bearkats to a 2-1 record as she was named to the all-tournament team at the Maverick Classic in Arlington, Texas. Baker's week was highlighted by a 44-dig performance in a five-set victory over Tulsa on Friday. This mark is also tied for the most digs in a single match in school history. Baker backed up that outing with 23 digs against North Texas and 25 digs in a win over UT Arlington. On the week, Baker averaged 6.13 digs per set for the Kats.
Other offensive nominees included: Abilene Christian's Jada Birkel was named to the Wildcat Classic All-Tournament Team as she hit .346 over the weekend, including a career-high hitting percentage of .438 on Saturday… California Baptist's Scherine Dahoue led the way for the Lancers' offense, finishing with 16 total kills over two matches last week… Grand Canyon's McKenzie Wise paced the Lopes in kills in every match at the GCU Invitational, earning tournament MVP honors behind 4.00 kills per set… Lamar's Paige Dugan totaled 27 kills across four matches for the Cardinals last week… NM State's Lia Mosher finished the week with a .397 hitting percentage while averaging 2.00 kills per set at the Springhill Suites Invitational… Sam Houston's Ashley Lewis reached 1,000 career kills and tied a career-high 27 kills against North Texas while averaging 4.33 kills per set for the week… Seattle U's Darian Goins recorded back-to-back 20-plus assist matches, including a career-best 27 against Montana on Wednesday… Stephen F. Austin's Ielan Bradley posted 2.88 kills per set on .352 hitting to lead the Ladyjacks to wins over Northern Arizona and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi last week… Tarleton's Lauren Kersey averaged 2.67 kills per set on .278 hitting for the Texans last week… UT Rio Grande Valley's Sarah Cruz turned in a career-best 22 kills against Nicholls State on Friday... Utah Valley's Kazna Tanuvasa posted 28 total kills across two matches to average 3.50 kills per set for UVU.
Other defensive nominees included: California Baptist's Paige Johnstone posted double-digit digs in back-to-back matches for the Lancers, averaging 4.17 digs per set over the weekend… Chicago State's Andrea Calderon finished the week averaging 3.50 digs per set as she led the Cougars to a 2-1 record at the Windy City Classic… NM State's Darian Markham tallied 20 or more digs in all three Aggie matches last week, including a career-high 27 digs in a win over Northwestern… Sam Houston's Hannah Baker carried the Bearkats to a pair of five-set wins last weekend, taking down Tulsa and UT Arlington… Seattle U's Julia Queroz notched three blocks in the Redhawks' sweep of Air Force on Friday… Stephen F. Austin's Alyssa Ortega posted 35 digs across two matches last week to help SFA to a 2-0 week… Tarleton's Ana Costas recorded 4.47 digs per set across four matches for the Texans… UT Rio Grande Valley's Veronika Jandova secured 10 total blocks last week as UTRGV competed in the Cowtown Classic in Fort Worth, Texas… Utah Valley's Bryton Bishop led the Wolverine defense with 19 digs in a thrilling five-set victory over Hawaii on Thursday.
Other freshman nominees included: California Baptist's Ashlyn Nevrla notched 12 total kills on a .391 hitting percentage over two matches at the South Dakota State Tournament… Chicago State's Andrea Calderon finished the week averaging 3.50 digs per set for the Cougars… Grand Canyon's McKenzie Wise was a force on both ends, totaling 36 kills and 27 digs in a trio of wins for the Lopes… Lamar's Paige Dugan averaged 2.25 kills per set and 2.50 digs per set last week, including a 12-kill performance in a win over Prairie View on Saturday… NM State's Alana Embry recorded two double-doubles over the weekend, including posting 19 assists and 12 digs in a win over Northwestern… Stephen F. Austin's Alyssa Ortega posted 35 digs and 11 assists across a pair of wins for the 'Jacks… Tarleton's Trinity Vinzant notched 30 total digs while also pitching in with a pair of blocks from her outside-hitting position… UT Rio Grande Valley's Luanna Emiliano earned all-tournament team honors for the second-straight weekend, highlighted by a 56-assist showing against Nicholls State on Saturday… Utah Valley's Natalie Palmer tallied her first-career double-double in a win over Hawaii, finishing with 19 assists and 10 digs…