Crossroads League Announces Athletes of the Week | September 5-11
JACKSON, Mich. – The Crossroads League Athletes of the Week were announced on Monday, recognizing the league’s top individual performances from September 5-11. 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
Ryan Czerniak, Taylor
Czerniak led No. 18 Taylor to a 4-1 week with 4.1 kills per set at a .466 hitting percentage. Czerniak registered 10-plus kills in all five matches, highlighting her week with 21 kills and just two errors in a four-set win over RV Dakota State.
Volleyball Defender of the Week
Grace Ieremia, Taylor
Ieremia tallied 19 blocks in five matches for No. 18 Taylor, to go with just one blocking error. The sophomore helped TU to a 4-1 mark on the week with 1.1 blocks and 1.2 kills per set in addition to a .326 hitting percentage.
Volleyball Setter of the Week
Kacy Bragg, Taylor
Bragg collected three double-double performances and tossed up at least 30 assists in each of No. 18 Taylor’s five contests. Bragg closed the week with 10.5 assists, 2.9 digs, 0.7 kills and 0.4 blocks per set for the Trojans.
Women’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week
Erin Oleksak, Marian
Oleksak led No. 5 Marian to a trio of victories, including a 5-1 win against No. 11 Aquinas. The All-American closed the week with three goals and two assists, scoring one goal in all three victories for the Knights.
Women’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Ariana Stoltzfus, Spring Arbor
Stoltzfus helped No. 2 Spring Arbor to a pair of clean sheets against nationally-ranked foes, as SAU tied No. 25 Embry-Riddle, 0-0 and topped No. 15 Lindsey-Wilson, 4-0. The senior midfielder chipped in with a goal in the win over the Blue Raiders.
Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week
Martim Sequeira, Grace
Sequeira lifted No. 18 Grace to a 4-2 upset of No. 5 Oklahoma Wesleyan with a hat trick in the match. The senior forward added five shots in a 0-0 decision with No. 16 Northwestern Ohio.
Men’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Matteo, Conci, Grace
Conci made five stops in a 4-2 win over No. 5 Oklahoma Wesleyan for No. 18 Grace and then posted a shutout with six saves in a scoreless draw against No. 16 Northwestern Ohio.
Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Week
Noel VanderWall, Taylor
VanderWall opened her collegiate career for No. 4 Taylor by leading the Trojans to a team title at the Indiana Wesleyan Invite and winning the individual championship with a time of 17:51 for TU’s third-best mark in program history.
Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Week
Bryan Hernandez-Rios, Grace
Hernandez-Rios finished in second-of-240 competitors at the Indiana Wesleyan Invite, leading No. 16 Grace to a third-place team finish. The senior posted a time of 24:54 to pace the Lancers.
Women’s Tennis Player of the Week
Sofia Loren Munoz, Indiana Wesleyan
Munoz won each of her four singles matches in straight-sets, while playing at the No. 2 position for Indiana Wesleyan and also went 4-0 at No. 1 doubles for the Wildcats. The 8-0 week from Munoz highlighted a 4-0 week for IWU.
Men’s Tennis Player of the Week
Nicolas Doria, Grace
Doria picked up six victories during a 4-0 week for Grace, posting 3-0 records at No. 4 singles and No. 3 doubles for the Lancers.