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, October 19 through Sunday, October 25.
Men's Basketball Players of the Week
Offensive Player of the Week
Ty Price, Brescia | Redshirt Freshman - Guard - Morgantown, Kentucky
After joining the Bearcats from NCAA Division I UT Martin in the offseason, Price made a major impact in the team's opener. The guard scored 45 points, shooting 58.3 percent from the field, 54.5 percent from beyond the arc, and 100 percent (11-for-11) from the free throw line.
Defensive Player of the Week
Xavi Tirado, Brescia | Junior - Forward/Center - Barcelona, Spain
Tirado, in his third season at Brescia, got off to a solid start in the season opener. The 6-6 Spaniard made all five of his field goal attempts, scoring 15 points against Harris-Stowe. He also pulled down 11 rebounds, accounting for his first career double-double.
Women's Basketball Players of the Week
Offensive Player of the Week
Caroline Lucas, Brescia | Junior - Guard - Hardinsburg, Kentucky
Lucas scored 39 points for the Bearcats in the season's opening weekend. The guard scored 27 points in a Friday win over Mission, then scored 12 points in a ten-point win over Montreat. The Kentucky native also added six rebounds and four assists, and made 20 of her 25 free throw attempts.
Defensive Player of the Week
Hailee Johnson, Brescia | Junior - Guard - Calhoun, Kentucky
Johnson was Brescia's best defender on the floor this weekend, as she totaled 20 rebounds, five steals, and six blocks in wins over Mission and Montreat. Offensively, she added 25 points and nine assists in a pair of comfortable non-conference victories.
Women's Volleyball Players of the Week
Attacker of the Week
Karla Melendez-Martinez, SMWC | Senior - Outside Hitter - Caguas, Puerto Rico
Karla Melendez-Martinez delivered an outstanding all-around performance for SMWC, totaling 31 kills, 25 digs, eight blocks and four service aces to lead the Pomeroys to a pair of River States Conference road victories over IU Columbus and IU Southeast on Oct. 23-24.
Setter of the Week
Lydia Steyer, Rio Grande | Junior - Setter - Perrysburg, Ohio
Steyer led the way for the RedStorm, who are closing in on an East Division title. The junior racked up 51 assists in a four-set victory over WVU Tech on Friday, posting a double-double with 13 digs.
Defender of the Week
Gaby Fernandez, SMWC | Junior - Libero - Arecibo, Puerto Rico
Fernandez delivered another outstanding defensive performance for the Pomeroys, totaling 50 digs across seven sets to help the Pomeroys secure a pair of River States Conference road victories over IU Columbus and IU Southeast on Oct. 23-24. Fernandez averaged an impressive 7.14 digs per set during the two-match stretch, anchoring the SMWC back row with consistent defensive coverage.
Men's Soccer Players of the Week
Offensive Player of the Week
Javi Fernandez Albandrea, Brescia | Junior - Midfielder - Madrid, Spain
Fernandez Albandrea had three of Brescia's six goals on the week, keeping the Bearcats in contention for a first-round bye in the RSC Tournament. The Spaniard scored the game-tying goal in a 2-2 draw with Midway, then scored twice as Brescia knocked off IU East, 4-1.
Defensive Player of the Week
Samy Hamou, Rio Grande | Sophomore - Goalkeeper - Paris, France
Hamou had multiple dazzling saves in a win at Cumberlands, including turning away a Patriot penalty kick. He then stopped the only shot he faced in a 2-0 win over Midway, which clinched the RSC regular season title and RSC Tournament home field advantage for the RedStorm.
Women's Soccer Players of the Week
Offensive Player of the Week
Julia Silva, WVU Tech | Junior - Midfielder - Halton Hills, Ontario
Silva led WVU Tech offensively in a 3-0 River States Conference victory over IU Kokomo, recording two goals and one assist for five points. The junior took a team-high nine shots, placing five on goal, and was involved in all three Golden Bear goals. Her five-point performance helped WVU Tech produce 25 shots and 17 shots on goal in the conference win.
Defensive Player of the Week
Lillian Klee, Midway | Freshman - Goalkeeper - Maysville, Kentucky
Klee had her best collegiate outing yet. She recorded 17 saves, the most at Midway since 2017, in the 1-1 draw against Brescia. She made a PK save with 7 minutes left to keep the 1-0 lead until Brescia tied it with one minute left.
Cross Country Runners of the Week
Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week
Ryder Crawford, Rio Grande | Junior - Batavia, Ohio
Crawford was the top River States runner at the NAIA Appalachian Challenge in Knoxville, Tennessee. The junior completed the 8k course in 24:21.1, finishing 12th overall. Rio Grande finished fourth as a team behind three of the nation's top eight teams.
Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week
Vera Henderly, Rio Grande | Freshman - Laurelville, Ohio
The freshman posted a top-five finish at the NAIA Appalachian Challenge in Tennessee, placing behind only runners from top 25 programs Cumberlands and Milligan. The freshman, who figures to be a main contender in two weeks at the RSC Cross Country Championships, ran the 5k course in 18:19.6.
Golfers of the Week
Men's Golfer of the Week
Pablo Gutierrez, Rio Grande | Sophomore - Puebla, Mexico
At the famed Whistling Straits Golf Course, Gutierrez finished the opening round in a five-way tie for first place, shooting a 1-under par in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Gutierrez didn't get a chance to play his second round on the historic course, as a heavy fog called off the final round of play.
Women's Golfer of the Week
Emma Lohman, IU East | Freshman - Miamisburg, Ohio
Lohman lapped the field at the Yellow Jacket Intercollegiate, winning by nine strokes and helping the Red Wolves to the team title. The freshman shot a two-over 74 in the first round, then finished her win at Ironwood Golf Club with an even-par 72 in the final round.