ST. PAUL, Minn.-- The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) announced their Athlete of the Week award winners Tuesday in the sports football, men’s and women’s soccer, and volleyball. The awards are nominated by UMAC coaches and athletics communications staff and selected each week by the latter group.
Football Offensive Athlete of the Week
Noah Huebner, So, Martin Luther, TE
Milwaukee, Wis./Wisconsin Lutheran
Huebner had a record-setting day in MLC's 42-14 win vs. Westminster on Saturday. The sophomore tight end caught 8 passes for 165 yards and a program-record 5 TDs. Huebner's last two games have now vaulted him into the UMAC leader in receiving yards and touchdowns.
Football Defensive Athlete of the Week
Dylan Young, Sr, Minnesota Morris, DL
Little Falls, Minn./Little Falls
Young played a huge role in the Cougars’ 37-15 victory over Greenville. The senior defensive lineman forced two fumbles to now be tied for the most forced fumbles in Division III. Young also recorded eight tackles, (three solo and five assisted,) recovered two fumbles, 1.5 tackles for loss, three quarterback hurries, and a sack.
Football Special Teams Athlete of the Week
Erich Hulshizer, Sr, Northwestern, K/DB
Casper, Wy./Kelly Walsh
Hulshizer was perfect in Saturday's win at Crown, making all 4 PATs and a pair of field goals, including a career-long 37-yarder. The senior two-way player also made 3 tackles on defense, including 2 solos.
Men’s Soccer Offensive Athlete of the Week
Ashton Hosler, Sr, Crown, F
Huntington, Ind./University of St. Francis (IN)
Hosler led the Polars to two wins and the postseason last week, totaling 4 goals including a hat trick at North Central to clinch the playoffs. His goal in the 12th minute against Northwestern gave the Polars an early 1-0 lead.
Men’s Soccer Defensive Athlete of the Week
Logan Jacobson, Fr, Crown, GK
Lee’s Sumitt, Mo./Lee’s Summit West
Jacobson tallied 15 total saves in two games, dominating as the Polars clinched a postseason appearance in wins over Northwestern and North Central. He recorded an 8-save shutout at North Central on Saturday, officially sending the Polars to the playoffs.
Women’s Soccer Offensive Athlete of the Week
Marie Kendall, So, Northwestern, M
Dakar, Senegal/Dakar Academy
Kendall continued her impressive sophomore season this week, scoring 4 goals and delivering 2 assists in UNW's two conference wins. She currently leads all of NCAA Division III in total goals, total points, goals per game, points per game, shots per game, and shots on goal per game.
Women’s Soccer Defensive Athlete of the Week
Maria Vik, Jr, Martin Luther, GK
Fremont, Wis./Lakeside Lutheran
Vik was peppered with shots over the course of two matches this week, making 21 saves. She made 11 saves (91.7 save %) in MLC's draw against UW-Superior, including several acrobatic stops to earn a point against the UMAC regular season champs.
Volleyball Offensive Athlete of the Week
Ana Egge, Jr, Northwestern, OH
Rapid City, S.D./Rapid City Christian
Egge led UNW's offensive attack in a 3-0 week with 44 kills (4.00 per set), adding 30 digs, 2 blocks and an ace. The senior was outstanding in Wednesday's sweep over (RV) St. Olaf, tallying 19 kills (6.33 per set) on .529 hitting. She also achieved a double-double in Saturday's win over UW-Superior with 15 kills and 14 digs.
Volleyball Defensive Athlete of the Week
Abbie Brand, Fr, Northwestern, MB
Pella, Iowa/Pella
Brand exploded for 10 blocks (0.91 per set) this week, including a career-high 6 (2.00 per set) against (RV) St. Olaf on Wednesday. The freshman added 3 blocks against UW-Superior on Saturday, and finished the 3-0 week with 12 kills on .345 hitting.
Volleyball Setter of the Week
Sella Fleming, Fr, Minnesota Morris
Hawley, Minn./Hawley
Sella Fleming tallied 66 assists this week surpassing 700 assists in her first season with Minnesota Morris. The Hawley, Minn., native started the week with a 34-assist match then added 32 as the Cougars went 2-0 on the week. Fleming also totaled 24 digs, seven kills, two aces, and one block.