Cal Pac Selects Players of the Week for Oct. 30
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. 23-29:
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Offensive Player of the Week
Kaamna Shankar of Saint Katherine registered her first career hat trick to help the Firebirds' comeback win over Soka. The junior forward from Pleasanton, Calif., now has 10 goals on the season.
Also nominated:
Kaitlyn Aeppli (Park-Gilbert)
Sabrina Benjamin (Soka)
Jamie Brandon (Embry-Riddle)
Alyssa Felix (La Sierra)
Samantha Martinez (Westcliff)
Trinidad Quiroz (UC Merced)
Defensive Player of the Week
Jadyn Gong of UC Merced made three saves in a shutout against Simpson, the only time this year the Red Hawks have been blanked in a conference match. SU averaged 2.5 goals per game in their previous four matches. The junior from Merced, Calif., recorded her 10th shutout of the year, most in the Cal Pac and fourth in the country.
Also nominated:
Catherine Corlett (Park-Gilbert)
Kiah Gridley (Simpson)
Cienna Irwin (Soka)
Maribel Maciel (La Sierra)
Ellie Neal (Embry-Riddle)
Cindy Suarez (Westcliff)
Charlize Wolf (Saint Katherine)
MEN'S SOCCER
Offensive Player of the Week
Luis Barraza of Soka played a huge part in the Lions' victory in the regular season finale against Saint Katherine. The junior from Greeley took both of SUA's penalty kicks and converted both for the only two scores in the contest, compiling an extremely unusual brace.
Also nominated:
John Adekunle (Westcliff)
Lucas Garcia (Embry-Riddle)
Joshua Golka (UC Merced)
Austin Murray (Park-Gilbert)
Luke Poxon (La Sierra)
Jaime Velasco (Simpson)
Defensive Player of the Week
Soka central defender Noah Alexander played stellar defense against Saint Katherine. As he has all season, the Corona, Calif., native was dominant in 1-on-1 matchups, blocked multiple shots, and anchored a defense that was a big reason SUA secured the #4 Seed in the postseason—only the second time the Lions have made it to the postseason in program history.
Also nominated:
Elias Ammon (Embry-Riddle)
Xavier Barajas (UC Merced)
Jussi Gerberding (Westcliff)
Viktor Gylling (Park-Gilbert)
Daniel Morales (Simpson)
Sean Toriz (La Sierra)
WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Attacker of the Week
Benedictine Mesa outside hitter Kylie Bartel had a big week for the Redhawks, who went 3-0. The junior from Mesa, Ariz., delivered 49 kills in those three matches, hitting .356 in the process. She also added four block assists, 33 digs, and eight service aces.
Also nominated:
Emma Barber (Embry-Riddle)
Abbey Beckwith (Westcliff)
Railey Druxman (Park-Gilbert)
Torri Lambert (La Sierra)
Jacey Loewen (Providence Christian)
Tiara Manns (Simpson)
Addison Metts (Saint Katherine)
Alexa Ultreras (UC Merced)
Setter of the Week
Simpson's Kayla Somontan kept her team in postseason contention during last week's road trip that started by being swept by Benedictine Mesa, going five sets in a loss at Embry-Riddle, and ending with a sweep of Park-Gilbert—all three opponents are playoff bound. The senior from Vacaville, Calif., totaled 104 assists (8.67 per set), as well as 32 digs and five service aces.
Also nominated:
Jaznel-Lynette Baker-Samuelu (Providence Christian)
Mackenzie Cumbie (Saint Katherine)
Samantha Lister (Westcliff)
Bianca Malaluan (UC Merced)
Keeley Meka (La Sierra)
Daniella Miranda-Johnson (Park-Gilbert)
Katie Rolle (Embry-Riddle)
Annika Wallace (Benedictine Mesa)
Defender of the Week
Ava Himstreet of Westcliff played a key role in keeping playoff hopes alive for the Warriors. The sophomore Libero from San Antonio, Tex., handled 57 digs over three matches, a 6.33 digs per set average, as well as handing out 12 assists.
Also nominated:
Sophia Avery (La Sierra)
Dalia Haase (Embry-Riddle)
Chenelle Jones (Providence Christian)
Madison Kammuller (Simpson)
Alexcis Morris (Saint Katherine)
Hattie Patton (Benedictine Mesa)
Destiny Lei Ramilo (UC Merced)
Makayla Simmons (Park-Gilbert)