Cal Pac Announces Players of the Week for Oct. 16
The following California Pacific Conference student-athletes have been recognized as the conference Players of the Week for their performances during the period of Oct. 9-15:
CROSS COUNTRY
Women's Runner of the Week
Josephine Banks of Embry-Riddle finished 48th in a field of 256 competing on the 6k course of the Highlander Invitational. The senior from Las Vegas, Nev., clocked a personal-best 21:45 time.
Also nominated:
Hiromi Hashide (Soka)
Elizette Ysais (UC Merced)
Men's Runner of the Week
Demetris Love, Jr. of Embry-Riddle set a personal best at the Highlander Invitational, covering the 8k course in 24:10 to finish 14th in the field of 297 runners. The senior from Phoenix, Ariz., ran a 24:16 last month and then topped that Saturday, recording the second- and third-fastest times in Cal Pac history.
Also nominated:
Jonathan Chavez (UC Merced)
Andre Souza (Soka)
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Offensive Player of the Week
Alyssa Felix of La Sierra led an offense that earned a split in two matches last week. The senior forward from Indio, Calif., had two assists in the Golden Eagles' 4-1 non-conference win over Bethesda, and she scored the equalizer late in the second half against Embry-Riddle before LSU lost 2-1 to the No. 14 team in the NAIA.
Also nominated:
Monserrath Bedolla-Guzman (Simpson)
Sabrina Benjamin (Soka)
Kylee Bennett (Embry-Riddle)
Sarai Mizzell (Park-Gilbert)
Trinidad Quiroz (UC Merced)
Brylee Rod (Benedictine Mesa)
Christine Thorvaldsen (Westcliff)
Defensive Player of the Week
UC Merced's Jadyn Gong earned her eighth solo shutout of the season in the 1-0 postseason-clinching win over Soka. The junior keeper from Merced, Calif., recorded three saves, including two in the second half to preserve the shutout against a Lions team that had scored in seven consecutive games and averaged 2.5 goals per game in the stretch. Gong is tied for seventh in the nation with eight shutouts and she has recorded six shutouts in Cal Pac play.
Also nominated:
Jaden Campbell (Benedictine Mesa)
Catherine Corlett (Park-Gilbert)
Kiah Gridley (Simpson)
Hannah Masterson (La Sierra)
Ellie Neal (Embry-Riddle)
Cindy Suarez (Westcliff)
Micaela Villalobos (Soka)
MEN'S SOCCER
Offensive Player of the Week
Westcliff's John Adekunle was a catalyst in the Warriors' record-setting 19-1 win over Providence Christian. The senior forward from Berlin, Germany, finished with five goals and an assist, shooting 87 percent. Adekunle, tied for the most goals in the Cal Pac and second in assists, had a hat trick in a 25-minute span in the first half.
Also nominated:
Anthony Antunez (La Sierra)
Luis Barraza (Soka)
Luka Bilaver (Cal Maritime)
Kevin Capetillo (UC Merced)
Michel Hampe (Simpson)
Erik Herrera (Saint Katherine)
Cameron Kovats (Embry-Riddle)
Ashton Owen (Park-Gilbert)
Gabriel Waters (Benedictine Mesa)
Defensive Player of the Week
In a pivotal game with playoff ramifications, Simpson's Daniel Morales turned in a strong performance to lead the Red Hawks to a 1-0 win over Soka. The senior keeper from Rawlins, Wyo., posted a clean sheet with eight saves in a much-needed victory to keep SU in contention for a postseason berth.
Also nominated:
Eric Aparicio (Soka)
Xavier Barajas (UC Merced)
Francesco Busini (Embry-Riddle)
Donato Gil (Benedictine Mesa)
Simon Puchner (Park-Gilbert)
Isaac Ramirez (La Sierra)
Bill Sanchez (Saint Katherine)
Noah Schwengeler (Westcliff)
WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Attacker of the Week
Addison Metts of Saint Katherine produced double-digit kills in all three of the victories last week, marking seven straight matches with 10 or more kills. The junior outside hitter from Hobart, Ind., hit .353 on 68 swings, and she added 11 digs and 10 blocks on the defensive side.
Also nominated:
Kylie Bartel (Benedictine Mesa)
Serena Choi (UC Merced)
Railey Druxman (Park-Gilbert)
Ayana Felton (La Sierra)
Dalia Haase (Embry-Riddle)
Samantha Lister (Westcliff)
Jacey Loewen (Providence Christian)
Mallory Swenson (Simpson)
Setter of the Week
Embry-Riddle's Katie Rolle continues to put up stellar numbers, helping the Eagles reel off three more wins to extend their seven-game win streak. Last week, the senior from Missoula, Mont., handed out 114 assists (11.40 per set) and added 15 digs, 31 digs, and three block assists.
Also nominated:
Kaitlyn Busby (Saint Katherine)
Michelle Do (Westcliff)
Ellie Gordon (UC Merced)
Jaznel-Lynette Baker-Samuelu (Providence Christian)
Daniella Miranda-Johnson (Park-Gilbert)
Kayla Somontan (Simpson)
Annika Wallace (Benedictine Mesa)
Defender of the Week
Megan Hicks of Park-Gilbert had a big week, helping her squad register three wins and now five in a row and in the thick of the playoff picture. The junior middle blocker from Flagstaff, Ariz., led the Buccaneers with 17 blocks, as well as 13 digs. Offensively, she contributed 13 kills and two aces.
Also nominated:
Sophia Avery (La Sierra)
Naomie Cremoux (Saint Katherine)
Lily Figgins (Embry-Riddle)
Ava Himstreet (Westcliff)
Tiari Ho'okano (Providence Christian)
Madison Kammuller (Simpson)
Hattie Patton (Benedictine Mesa)
Semiramis Tanasescu (UC Merced)