Crossroads League Announces Athletes of the Week | September 4-10
JACKSON, Mich. – The Crossroads League Athletes of the Week were announced on Tuesday, recognizing the league’s top individual performances from September 4 through 10. 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 kept rolling with 4.6 kills per set and a .326 hitting percentage for No. 8 IWU over a trio of comfortable victories. Joldersma also added 2.7 digs and 0.8 blocks per set for the Wildcats.
Volleyball Defender of the Week
Jessica Bock, Mount Vernon Nazarene
Bock averaged 1.5 blocks per set for No. 22 MVNU over five matches. The senior middle had five-or-more blocks in three matches, ending the week with eight in a four-set contest with Aquinas.
Volleyball Setter of the Week
Abbigail Porter, Indiana Wesleyan
Porter continued to set the tone for the high-powered Wildcat attack, tossing up 104 assists over a trio of sweeps for No. 8 Indiana Wesleyan. Porter’s best showing was a 41-assist gem in three sets against Lourdes.
Women’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week
Katie Koger, Marian
Koger scored twice and added an assist for No. 4 Marian in its wins over OUAZ and Saint Francis (IL). Koger netted the game-winner and assisted another in MU’s 3-2 win over OUAZ.
Women’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Sophie Decker, Marian
Decker helped No. 4 Marian to a trio of wins during a busy week, as the Knights took down OUAZ, Saint Francis (IL) and Missouri Baptist. Decker had two goals and one assist from her defensive midfielder position.
Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week
Keon Boney, Mount Vernon Nazarene
Boney scored twice for MVNU in its wins over Shawnee State and Governors State. The senior forward unleashed six shots in the two matches and scored once in each contest for the Cougars.
Men’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Matteo Conci, Grace
Conci anchored a pair of shutout wins for No. 15 Grace, as the Lancers blanked No. 7 Missouri Valley and RV Indiana Tech by matching 1-0 scores. Conci posted seven total saves in the 180 minutes of work in goal.
Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Week
Mollie Gamble, Taylor
Gamble helped the defending national champions open on the right note, posting a race-winning time of 22:00.90 to top 134 runners at the IWU Invitational. Gamble’s efforts also helped No. 1 Taylor to a convincing first-place team finish.
Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Week
Braden Sweet, Indiana Wesleyan
Sweet raced to a win on his home course at the Indiana Wesleyan Invitational. Sweet crossed at 24:42 to top the field of 196 athletes, while helping No. 3 IWU to a dominant first-place showing.
Women’s Tennis Player of the Week
Alejandra Sandoval, Grace
Sandoval won all six of her matches for Grace, helping the Lancers to a 2-1 team mark on the week. Sandoval was 3-0 at No. 4 singles and 3-0 at No. 1 doubles.
Men’s Tennis Player of the Week
Luis Cordoba, Grace
Cordoba went a combined 5-0 for No. 17 Grace, fueling a 3-0 week for the unbeaten Lancers. Cordoba went 3-0 at No. 4 and 5 singles for GC, and 2-0 at No. 3 doubles.