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, September 1 through Sunday, September 7.
Women's Volleyball Players of the Week
Attacker of the Week
Karla Melendez, St. Mary-of-the-Woods | Jr. - Outside Hitter - Caguas, Puerto Rico
Karla Melendez was the driving force behind a perfect 4-0 week for the Pomeroys on their Texas road trip, showcasing her all-around impact on both sides of the ball. Across four matches, Melendez recorded 48 kills (4.36 k/s) on a .346 hitting percentage, while adding 28 digs (2.55 d/s), 5 total blocks, and 6 assists.
Setter of the Week
Aislyn Hogan, IU East | So. - Setter - Fort Wayne, Indiana
Hogan racked up 148 assists across four matches this week, helping the Red Wolves to three victories. The sophomore averaged more than nine assists per set, and had more than per set in matches against Bryan and Cumberlands. The Fort Wayne native also added 26 digs and ten kills for the defending RSC Tournament champions.
Defender of the Week
Leishmarie Virella, St. Mary-of-the-Woods | Jr. - Libero - Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Leishmarie Virella was a consistent anchor in the back row during SMWC's 4-0 Texas road trip, providing stability in serve receive and defensive coverage. Across four matches, Virella recorded 53 digs (4.82 d/s) and posted an impressive .942 reception percentage on 69 total attempts. She reached double-digit digs in three matches, highlighted by 20 against Paul Quinn and 15 against Howard Payne.
Men's Soccer Players of the Week
Offensive Player of the Week
Jamie Gayol Pertierra, St. Mary-of-the-Woods | Jr. - Forward - Ovedio, Spain
Sophomore forward Jaime Gayol Pertierra was the offensive spark for the Pomeroys, highlighted by a hat trick performance in SMWC's 8-2 win at Calumet College of St. Joseph. Through two matches this week, Gayol Pertierra tallied 3 goals, 6 points, and a game-winning goal, while converting his lone penalty kick attempt.
Defensive Player of the Week
Luka Felix, WVU Tech | Sr. - Goalkeeper - Óbidos, Portugal
Felix was perfect in WVU Tech's last two matches, logging a pair of clean sheets in contests against Tennessee Wesleyan and Mount Vernon Nazarene. The reigning River States Conference Defensive Player of the Week made three saves in each contest, a 1-0 win over Tennessee Wesleyan and a scoreless draw with Mount Vernon Nazarene.
Women's Soccer Players of the Week
Offensive Player of the Week
Camilla Bedin, Oakland City | Sr. - Forward - Rome, Italy
Bedin was unstoppable on the attack during Oakland City's 10-0 victory over Freed-Hardeman on Tuesday, playing a part in five of the team's ten goals in a blowout victory. The Italian senior scored the Mighty Oaks' second, fourth, and tenth goals in the victory, and added assists on two more.
Defensive Player of the Week
Jelena Krpan, Shawnee State | So. - Defender - Oakville, Ontario, Canada
A center back, Shawnee State sophomore Jelena Krpan has been the best defender on Shawnee State's roster a quarter of the way through the season, helping the Bears claim a 25-19 shot advantage in SSU's 1-1 week.
Cross Country Runners of the Week
Male Runner of the Week
Tyler Jenkins, Rio Grande | Sr. - Barnesville, Ohio
Jenkins placed second overall at the Wildcat Twilight Invitational, running the 8k course in 24:30.1. With multiple RSC schools in attendance, Jenkins' time was more than 30 seconds faster than any other RSC runner, and set a new Rio Grande record.
Female Runner of the Week
Olivia Cisco, Shawnee State | Sr. - Waverly, Ohio
Cisco put together the best run of her Shawnee State cross country career Friday at the IWU Twilight Meet, running a personal best and school record time of 22:06 in the 6K to finish third of 203 harriers in a race stacked with five NAIA teams ranked in the NAIA XC Top 25 Rating as well as five others, including SSU, receiving votes. Shawnee State ended up being the top River States Conference team in the meet, placing fifth.
Golfers of the Week
Male Golfer of the Week
Sam Firebaugh, IU East | Sr. - Zionsville, Indiana
Firebaugh helped the Red Wolves to the team title at the Delaware Shootout, played at Delaware County Club in Muncie, Indiana. The senior repeated as RSC Golfer of the Week with a 36-hole score of just two over par, including an even par 70 in the second and final round.
Female Golfer of the Week
Brooklee Bussing, St. Mary-of-the-Woods | Sr. - Brazil, Indiana
At the Lawrence Tech Invitational, SMWC was led by Brooklee Bussing, who tied for 5th place individually at 160 (+16). Bussing was steady across both rounds, shooting 79-81. The Pomeroys finished second overall among the six teams in attendance at the Boyne Mountain Alpine Course.