Crossroads League Announces Athletes of the Week | September 11-17
JACKSON, Mich. – The Crossroads League Athletes of the Week were announced on Monday, recognizing the league’s top individual performances from September 11 through 17. Sports Information Directors from the league institutions nominate student-athletes for the awards and vote on each week’s winners.
Volleyball Attacker of the Week
Eva Joldersma, Indiana Wesleyan
Joldersma turned in three more dominant matches for No. 5 Indiana Wesleyan, leading the Wildcats to a trio of league sweeps, including a 3-0 victory at No. 15 Bethel. Joldersma averaged 5.2 kills, 2.2 digs and 0.7 blocks per set in the three matches, while hitting .382.
Volleyball Defender of the Week
Alisha Leffring, Grace
Leffring led Grace to upsets of No. 15 Bethel and RV Taylor with 1.6 blocks and 2.8 kills per set, while hitting .391. Leffring was unstoppable against TU, posting 10 blocks and 15 kills to lead Grace to the five-set win.
Volleyball Setter of the Week
Abbigail Porter, Indiana Wesleyan
Porter took the honor once again, this time by tossing up at least 35 assists in all three of No. 5 IWU’s sweeps on the week. Porter averaged 12.7 assists, 1.7 digs and 0.6 blocks to help the Wildcats remain unbeaten.
Women’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week
Lauren Marshall, Spring Arbor
Marshall powered No. 2 Spring Arbor to routs of RV Lindsey Wilson and RV Northwestern Ohio, ending the week with five goals, two game-winners and two assists. Marshall had a hand in five-of-10 goals for SAU against Lindsey Wilson and scored two more against UNOH.
Women’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Ariana Stoltzfus, Spring Arbor
Stoltzfus led No. 2 Spring Arbor to blow out wins over RV Lindsey Wilson and RV Northwestern Ohio. The senior defender helped SAU outscore the two foes by a 14-1 gap, scoring two goals and assisting another while anchoring the Cougar defense.
Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week
Dan Allen, Grace
Allen netted the game-winner for No. 10 Grace in its 1-0 upset of No. 5 Lindsey Wilson. Allen’s strike was his lone shot attempt of the game.
Men’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Aaron Carr, Indiana Wesleyan
Carr racked up 16 saves in a pair of shutout victories for RV Indiana Wesleyan. The keeper had six stops in a 2-0 win over Olivet Nazarene and then posted 10 saves in a 1-0 upset of No. 4 Rio Grande.
Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Week
Audrey Brinkruff, Taylor
Brinkruff led the field of 103 runners on her home course to win the Ray Bullock Invite. Brinkruff crossed with a pair of Trojan teammates at 22:19, as No. 1 Taylor rolled to the team crown.
Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Week
Kent Yoder, Huntington
Yoder led No. 22 Huntington to a team victory at the Larry Young Invitational. Yoder also topped the field of 128 individuals at the race with a winning time of 24:57.
Women’s Tennis Player of the Week
Moorea McNalley, Spring Arbor
McNalley went 6-0 on the week to help Spring Arbor to a trio of team victories. The sophomore did not drop a set at No. 1 singles and also scored three convincing wins at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles.
Men’s Tennis Player of the Week
Facundo Paredes, Grace
Paredes helped No. 17 Grace to a pair of CL victories, including a key 4-3 win over RV Marian. Paredes won both of his No. 2 singles contests and also went 2-1 for the Lancers at No. 1 doubles.