GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced weekly awards following Week 8 of the 2021 volleyball season. Wayne State senior Lauren VanderWal earned GLIAC Volleyball North Division Player of the Week honors, while Grand Valley State senior Ali Thompson received the GLIAC Volleyball South Division Player of the Week award.
NORTH PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Lauren VanderWal - Wayne State
Senior outside hitter Lauren VanderWal (Caledonia, Mich.) returned from an injury to help Wayne State sweep Saginaw Valley State at home on Saturday afternoon. She tallied 15 kills on 36 swings and posted a .305 hitting percentage. She also had four total blocks and two digs.
SOUTH PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Ali Thompson - Grand Valley State
Senior outside hitter Ali Thompson (Cincinnati, Ohio) helped lead the Lakers to two wins this weekend over Lake Superior State and Northwood University. Thompson finished the weekend with 24 kills, a .315 kill percentage, 26 digs, and three blocks. She averaged 3.43 kills per set and 3.71 digs per set.
HONORABLE MENTION
NORTH: Rylee Zimmer (SVSU), Kiana Martens (NU), Laura De Marchi (MTU), Lizzy Stark (NMU)
SOUTH: Lauren Sanders (PNW), Katie O'Connell (FSU), Hayley Kreiger (DU), Reese Rossnagel (UWP)