Goshen’s Lucas Sauder, Alexander Rabadzhiev named WHAC volleyball players of the week
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Alexander Rabadzhiev and Lucas Sauder made history Monday, becoming the first Goshen College men’s volleyball players to win weekly honors from the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference. Rabadzhiev was named Hitter of the Week and Sauder was Setter of the Week.
Rabadzhiev, a freshman outside hitter from Razlog, Bulgaria, led the Maple Leafs with a .296 hitting percentage and 51 kills, racking up 4.64 winners per set across three matches. He also led the team with 21 digs in addition to posting 8 blocks and 4 aces. This season, he ranks 2nd in the NAIA in kills and 20th in digs while also holding top-40 spots in aces and blocks.
Sauder, a freshman from Lititz, Pennsylvania, averaged 8.5 assists per set as the fulcrum of a Maple Leaf offense that recorded a .193 hitting percentage. He posted 14 digs and 7 blocks while serving at a .923 clip to lead the team. He ranks 25th in the nation in blocks and 34th in assists after stepping into the setter role in mid-February; his 35 assists against North Park on Friday are a season high.
The Maple Leafs went 2-1 last week, topping Judson and North Park before losing to Lawrence Tech.
Goshen hits the hardwood three times this week, all in non-conference play. The Maple Leafs will visit Cincinnati Christian University on Monday at 7 p.m. before traveling to Adrian College for two matches at 6 p.m. Wednesday. GC’s next WHAC match is Wednesday, March 6, at Aquinas.
The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference names one or more conference players of the week in each league-sponsored sport based on nominations from each institution’s sports information director.