General | 11/10/2025 3:24:33 PM
OXFORD, Ohio - The River States Conference is pleased to announce the Player of the Week honorees for the past week.
All awards represent contests played from Monday, November 3 through Sunday, November 9.
Men's Basketball Players of the Week
Offensive Player of the Week
Evan Kretz, IU Kokomo | Sr. - Guard - Russiaville, Indiana
Graduate student Evan Kretz delivered a dominant weekend as the Cougars went 1-1, highlighted by a five-point overtime win over (RV) Madonna. Kretz poured in 29 points, knocking down six triples and grabbing 12 rebounds for his first double-double of the season. He followed that up with a 13-point effort in a hard-fought loss to a strong Lawrence Tech squad.
Defensive Player of the Week
Alonzo Clawson-Smith, IU Kokomo | Fr. - Guard - Lafayette, Indiana
Freshman guard Alonzo Clawson-Smith has been a force to be reckoned with so far this season defensively, recording four steals in each of last week's two contests in contests against Madonna and Lawrence Tech. He also pulled down nine rebounds on the week.
Women's Basketball Players of the Week
Offensive Player of the Week
Taylor Farris, IU East | Jr. - Guard - Oxford, Ohio
Farris averaged 24 points per game in three contests for the Red Wolves last week, including 26 points in a victory over Mount Vernon Nazarene. The guard knocked down seven three-pointers, and made 19 of her 20 free throw attempts. She also pulled down 19 total rebounds.
Defensive Player of the Week
Linzie Wernert, IU Southeast | Jr. - Forward - Lanesville, Indiana
Wernert impacted the games on both sides of the ball. The junior grabbed 20 rebounds, had 7 steals, and blocked 3 shots in games against Miami Middletown, Campbelleville, and Bethel. She had a 19 point, 11 rebound double double against the No. 2 team in the country, Bethel (Tenn.).
Women's Volleyball Players of the Week
Attacker of the Week
Karla Melendez, SMWC | Jr. - Outside Hitter - Caguas, Puerto Rico
Karla Melendez powered the Pomeroys' offense with dominant swings and consistent production across two conference matches, averaging 4.56 kills per set while hitting an efficient .221 on 122 total attacks. Melendez led SMWC in kills both nights, posting 41 total kills, 31 digs, and 45.5 points to cap one of her strongest offensive weekends of the season.
Setter of the Week
Aislyn Hogan, IU East | So. - Setter - Fort Wayne, Indiana
Hogan helped IU East clinch the East Division title with her play at the setter position. In wins over Shawnee State and Kentucky Christian, the sophomore racked up 83 total assists, averaging more than ten per set on the week. She also added nine kills and 13 digs in the victories.
Defender of the Week
Ella Bickel, IU East | Sr. - Defensive Specialist - Fort Wayne, Indiana
Bickel played a major role in IU East's two wins this week, helping the team clinch the East Division title. In two matches, the senior recorded 56 digs, averaging seven per set. She was at her best in the reverse sweep of Shawnee State, recording 36 digs.