National News

 September 26, 2012

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Helena Peric (Missouri State-West Plains), Yuleika Jiminez (Neosho County CC, Kan.) and Megan Sobtzak (Itasca CC, Minn.) have been named NJCAA Volleyball Players of the Week for matches Sept. 17-23.

Peric was named Division I Player of the Week and Jiminez earned the award in Division II. Division III saw Sobtzak tabbed Player of the Week.
 

DIVISION I PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Helena Peric – Missouri State University-West Plains
Outside Hitter – Smederevo, Serbia

Anchoring the Grizzlies’ spectacular showing at the Hutchinson Invite last weekend, Peric’s effort on both offense and defense led MSU-West Plains to four-straight wins. The freshman recorded double-doubles in three of the Grizzlies’ four matches, averaging 3.27 kills and 3.27 digs per set. Peric also displayed her efficiency, compiling a .424 hitting percentage. MSU-West Plains and Peric will be back in action next Thursday at Seminole State College (Okla.).
 

DIVISION II PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Yuleika Jiminez – Neosho County Community College, Kan.
Outside Hitter – Caracas, Venezuela

Despite playing six matches last week, Jiminez showcased her consistency with three double-doubles that led Neosho to five victories. Jiminez averaged 4.32 kills and 2.86 digs per set and earned all-tournament honors at the Allen County Invitational. Against No. 17 Fort Scott CC (Kan.), the sophomore had one of her best efforts of the week with 21 kills and 16 digs in the five-set win. This week, Jiminez and the Panthers host Highland CC (Kan.) before competing in the Coffeyville Tournament this weekend.
 

DIVISION III PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Megan Sobtzak – Itasca Community College, Minn.
Setter – Coleraine, Minn. – Greenway High School

Directing Itasca to three wins last week, Sobtzak constantly put her teammates in position to score. Playing in ten sets, the sophomore averaged 11.3 assists per set across the week. Sobtzak also added four blocks and two aces to her weekly totals. Wednesday, Sobtzak and the No. 3 Vikings will entertain No. 10 Central Lakes College (Minn.).

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Volleyball Players of the Week (Games up to Sept. 2)
DI: Kierston Smith (S) – SC of Florida
DII: Tiffany Madura (MB) – Vincennes Univ., Ind.
DIII: Kelly Sommers (S) – Harper College, Ill.

Volleyball Players of the Week (Sept. 3-9)
DI: Ana Jakovljevic (OH) – Northwest College, Wyo.
DII: Hayley Mertens (OH) – Allen County CC, Kan.
DIII: Ashley Block (MB) – Mesabi Range CTC, Minn.

Volleyball Players of the Week (Sept. 10-16)
DI: Thayna Silva (OH) – Seward County CC, Kan.
DII: Kara Kentner (RS/S) – Moraine Valley CC, Ill.
DIII: Christina Rauh (S) – Jamestown CC, N.Y.

Volleyball Players of the Week (Sept. 17-23)
DI: Helena Peric (OH) – Missouri State-West Plains
DII: Yuleika Jiminez (OH) – Neosho County CC, Kan.
DIII: Megan Sobtzak (OH) – Itasca CC, Minn.