ST. PAUL, Minn.-- The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) announced their Athlete of the Week award winners Tuesday in the sports of men’s and women’s basketball, football, and volleyball. The awards are nominated by UMAC coaches and athletics communications staff and selected each week by the latter group.
Men’s Basketball Athlete of the Week
Matt Thompson, Jr, Minnesota Morris, F
Cyrus, Minn./Hancock
In his first game with the Cougars, Thompson led the team with 31 points. The junior shot 8-of-15 from the field, 3-of-7 from behind the arc and 12-of-15 at the free throw line. Thompson also added eight rebounds, three blocks, two steals, and two assists.
Women’s Basketball Athlete of the Week
Brayli Reimer, Jr, Crown, G
Red Lodge, Mont./Red Lodge
Reimer totaled 23 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals for her first double double of the season.
Football Offensive Athlete of the Week
Jamarrius Courtney, So, Crown, QB
Minneapolis/Chaska
Courtney totaled 242 rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns leading Crown to a win Martin Luther. He broke his own single game rushing yards record and tied the single game rushing touchdowns record.
Football Defensive Athlete of the Week
Austin Ahrendt, So, Northwestern, DB
Nevis, Minn./Nevis Public
Ahrendt was all over the field in Saturday's win at Greenville, recording 14 tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss from his safety position. The sophomore also recovered a fumble and broke up two passes in coverage.
Football Special Teams Athlete of the Week
Juan “JT” Garza, Jr, Minnesota Morris, P/Returner
Rupert, Idaho/Minico
Garza played a pivotal role for the Cougars in the 14-7 win against Westminster. Garza totaled 135 yards punting with a long of 45. On a fake punt he had a 22-yard completion to move the sticks. As a returner, Garza totaled 82 yards including a 48-yard kickoff return to start the second half. The Rupert, Idaho native made an impact on defense as well with four tackles, one interception he returned for 58 yards and three pass breakups.
Volleyball Offensive Athlete of the Week
Makenna Hohbein, So, UW-Superior, OH
Holdingford, Minn./Holdingford
Hohbein totaled 46 kills in three matches last week, featuring 24 against Minnesota Morris, just two shy of her season best. Her season total sits at 443, a mark that leads both the Yellowjackets and the UMAC.
Volleyball Setter of the Week
Addeson Jenniges, So, Northwestern
Walnut Grove, Minn./Westbrook-Walnut Grove
Jenniges put up more big numbers this week, finishing with 105 total assists (9.55 per set) in 3 matches. The sophomore also tallied 15 digs, 3 kills and 2 aces for the week.
Volleyball Defensive Athlete of the Week
Marley Aune, Sr, Northwestern, MB
New Brighton, Minn./Avail Academy
Aune had another productive week in the middle of UNW's defense, tallying 9 blocks (0.82 per set) in 3 matches. The senior had four blocks each in wins over Bethany Lutheran and Martin Luther, with 5 of the 8 being solo. She also had 11 digs, 28 kills and 3 aces on the week.