Crossroads League Announces Athletes of the Week
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AVON, Ohio – The Crossroads League announced its athletes of the week on Monday, recognizing the top athletes from the week of September 25 through October 1. In order to be considered for the award, a student-athlete must be nominated by their institution’s Sports Information Director.
Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Week
Hunter Smith, Taylor
Smith ran a time of 25:45 to finish 16th-of-185 at the 21-team Louisville Classic. Smith helped No. 13 Taylor finish third among NAIA teams and ahead of four ranked programs.
Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Week
Sarah Harden, Taylor
Harden posted a personal-best time of 18:25 to finish eighth at the Louisville Classic and sixth among all NAIA competitors in the field of 171, helping No. 10 Taylor finish second of 18 teams.
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Men’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Kurt Hamlin, Grace
Hamlin helped Grace battle RV Bethel to a scoreless draw by notching eight saves in goal for the Lancers during 110 minutes of work.
Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week
Ollie Smith, Goshen
Smith scored a hat trick in Goshen’s 4-0 win against Saint Francis to open league play. Smith’s three goals came on five shots and in just 70 minutes of action.
Women’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Lauren Engelkes, Taylor
Engelkes blanked RV Grace in the net during No. 20 Taylor’s 3-0 shutout of the Lancers in the league opener for both squads. Engelkes notched two saves in the 90 minutes of work.
Women’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week
Kelly Hoffius, Spring Arbor
Hoffius struck for a pair of goals in her first game of the season, boosting the second-rated Spring Arbor squad to a 5-0 win over Saint Francis in its Crossroads League opener.
Men’s Tennis Player of the Week
Daniel Zolnikov, Indiana Wesleyan
Zolnikov went 6-0 with three wins each at No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles for Indiana Wesleyan to help the Wildcats finish off the regular season Crossroads League Championship.
Women’s Tennis Player of the Week
Alex Mella, Indiana Wesleyan
Mella won each of her six matches atop the lineup for Indiana Wesleyan, helping the Wildcats to three victories. Mella went 2-0 at No. 1 singles, 1-0 at No. 2 singles and 3-0 at No. 1 doubles.
Volleyball Attacker of the Week
Sierra Smith, Grace
Smith tallied 3.0 kills per set on a .243 percentage to help Grace score three wins in five matches. Smith ended with 57 kills, highlighted by a 14-kill, 1-error showing in a win over Spring Arbor.
Volleyball Defender of the Week
Sara Miller, Grace
Miller set a career-high with 33 digs against Saint Thomas and added two other outings with at least 20 digs to end with 114 on the week at a clip of 6.0 digs per set.
Volleyball Setter of the Week
Katelyn Dufur, Mount Vernon Nazarene
Dufur averaged 9.9 assists per set and tossed up at least 30 assists per match in MVNU’s four outings. Dufur ended the week with 148 assists, 14 kills, 36 digs, eight blocks and two aces.