GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its weekly awards following Week 11 of the 2024 volleyball season. Grand Valley State junior outside hitter Kendall Stover was named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week while Michigan Tech sophomore defensive specialist Amelia Albers was selected as GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week and sophomore setter Tess Hayes was honored as GLIAC Setter of the Week.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Kendall Stover, Grand Valley State
For the first time in her career, Grand Valley State junior outside hitter Kendall Stover was named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week. Across two Laker victories, Stover had 33 kills on a .365 hitting percentage, adding 18 digs and four service aces. She had a double-double with a season-high 18 kills and 12 digs, swinging at a .348 clip, and served three aces in the victory over Wayne State. On Saturday, Stover recorded 15 more kills, hitting .387, totaling six digs and five blocks in the win at Roosevelt. Stover ends the regular season second on the Lakers with 214 kills and 265 digs.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Amelia Albers, Michigan Tech
Michigan Tech sophomore Amelia Albers anchored the defense of the Huskies in a weekend sweep on the road. Albers averaged 4.86 digs per set. She tallied 20 digs in a 3-1 victory at Saginaw Valley State on Friday and notched 14 digs in a sweep at Lake Superior State on Saturday. Albers leads the Huskies and ranks eighth in the GLIAC in digs per set (3.51).
SETTER OF THE WEEK: Tess Hayes, Michigan Tech
Michigan Tech sophomore Tess Hayes led the Huskies to a road sweep to wrap up the regular season. Hayes averaged 11.57 assists per set in the wins. She tallied 48 assists and seven digs in a 3-1 victory at Saginaw Valley State and followed it up with 33 assists and seven digs in a sweep at Lake Superior State on Saturday. Hayes leads the GLIAC in assists per set (10.65) and also averages 2.6 digs per set.
HONORABLE MENTION
Offense: Abby Alan (Davenport), Sam Fisch (Parkside), Kayla Giroux (Wayne State), Anika Huelskamp (Purdue Northwest), Claire Nowicki (Ferris State), Meg Raabe (Michigan Tech), Jacqueline Smith (Northern Michigan)
Defense: McKenzie Gruner (Northern Michigan), Natalie Harris (Parkside), Claire Nowicki (Ferris State), Paige Sanders (Grand Valley State), Ella Uganski (Wayne State)
Setter: Allie Barlow (Northern Michigan), Kayla Dulgar (Wayne State), Mehl Hansen (Davenport), Karlee Lois (Parkside), Kaylee Maat (Ferris State), Meghan O'Sullivan (Grand Valley State)
