http://www.miac-online.org/news/2011/10/17/WVBALL_1017114155.aspx

MIAC Volleyball Hitter-of-the-Week

Angela Ahrendt, Gustavus
Shoreview, Minn. / Roseville

The Gustavus volleyball team has been one of the most pleasant surprises in the MIAC this season, and the Gusties are coming off another great week in conference play and at the UW-Oshkosh Tournament. Senior middle hitter Angela Ahrendt (Shoreview, Minn./Roseville) continued her strong season with All-Tournament Team honors in Oshkosh and 75 kills, 16 totals blocks and a .346 hitting percentage while helping Gustavus go 4-1 on the week. For her performance, Ahrendt was named the MIAC Volleyball Hitter-of-the-Week.

Both Ahrendt and the Gusties got off to a strong start last week with a 3-0 sweep of conference rival Hamline, with Ahrendt leading the way with 16 kills, two blocks and a .371 hitting percentage. She then racked up 19 kills in a win over UW-La Crosse, 15 kills in a loss to Dominican, nine kills in a win over St. Mary's (Ind.) and 16 kills and a .478 hitting percentage in a win over the host school to lead Gustavus to a 3-1 record and a second-place finish at the tournament. This season, Ahrendt is fourth in the MIAC with a .334 hitting percentage and her average of 3.41 kills per set (239 total kills) ranks sixth in the league.

Gustavus used its 4-1 week to improve to 18-7 overall and 5-2 in conference play. Currently, the Gusties are one of six MIAC teams sitting in a logjam at the top of the standings either at 6-1 or 5-2, and they're in great position to make a run at a playoff spot. This week, Gustuavs has two big MIAC matches on the road against other playoff contenders as it travels to Concordia (17-3, 6-1) Friday for a 7 p.m. match and then to Saint Benedict (15-9, 6-1) Saturday for a 3 p.m. start.

MIAC Volleyball Setter/Libero-of-the-Week

Ashley Maher, St. Thomas
Hutchinson, Minn. / Hutchinson

One of the big questions for St. Thomas' volleyball team revolved around replacing graduated setter and MIAC Player-of-the-Year Emily Foster. However, senior setter Ashley Maher (Hutchinson, Minn.) has had the answer to that question all season - especially in the last week - as she leads all of Division III in set assists per game and just passed the 1,000 assist mark for the season. Last week, the Tommies went 5-0 behind 192 assists and 44 digs from Maher who, as a result, was named the MIAC Volleyball Setter/Libero-of-the-Week.

Maher's week started in a big way. The senior recorded 50 assists, 13 digs and a pair of blocks last Wednesday in a 3-2 win over St. Olaf in a matchup of last year's MIAC Co-Champions. Her strong play continued throughout the weekend as St. Thomas went 4-0 at the Simpson College Tournament without losing a single set, and Maher recorded at least 32 assists in each victory. Her 1,000th assist of the season came in the weekend's third match - a 3-0 win over Nebraska Wesleyan. Maher currently averages 11.68 assists per set, which leads both the MIAC and all of Division III, and she has 1,051 total assists in 2011.

With the 5-0 week, St. Thomas extended its winning streak to 11 straight and improved to 24-3 overall and 6-1 to remain in a four-way tie atop the MIAC standings. The Tommies, currently ranked No. 12, have two big MIAC matches on the schedule this week as Saint Mary's comes to St. Thomas' home court Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday it travels across town for a big test against Augsburg (12-8, 5-2) in Minneapolis at 5 p.m.

 Courtesy of MIAC