Pioneer’s Bartalo, Bison’s Hanger earn weekly accolades

10/22/2019 12:00:00 AM

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Denver outside hitter Lydia Bartalo and North Dakota State defensive specialist Kaylee Hanger claimed this week's Summit League Volleyball Player of the Week accolades. This is the first weekly honor of the season for both Bartalo and Hanger.

Bartalo put up a career week for Denver, leading the Pioneers to two league victories. She hammered down the 500th kill of her career in Denver's five-set victory over Omaha. She also recorded a career-high and team-high of 21 kills and her fourth double-double of the season with 16 digs. The junior added to her weekly total by slamming another team-high 12 kills and posting a .611 hitting percentage during the Pios sweep over Western Illinois.

Hanger helped the Bison beat in-state rival North Dakota for the first time since 2014, breaking a five-match losing streak to the Fighting Hawks and then turning around and contributing to a five-set victory over Oral Roberts. She came up with a career-high 30 digs in the win over the Golden Eagles and 19 against UND. The sophomore has recorded double-figure digs in 13 of 20 matches this season.

Lydia Bartalo, Denver
Junior | OH | Colorado Springs, Colo.

Earned the first offensive weekly award of her career
Tallied 33 kills, 4.13 kills per set and a .419 clip this weekend
Notched the 500th kill of her career against Omaha

Also nominated: Ashley Brueggeman (North Dakota), Katie Crowe (Purdue Fort Wayne), Sami Slaughter (South Dakota), Emily Halverson (North Dakota State), Sadie Limback (Omaha), CeCe Madison (Oral Roberts)

Kaylee Hanger, North Dakota State
Sophomore | L/DS | Millstadt, Ill.

Claimed the first defensive award of her career
Notched a career-high 30 digs against ORU
Recorded 49 total digs and an average 5.44 digs per set this weekend

Also nominated: Lexi Ahrens (North Dakota), Rachael Crucis (Purdue Fort Wayne), Madison Harms (South Dakota), Macy Carrabine (Denver), Inka Inkret (Oral Roberts)

Previous Players of the Week
September 3
Offense: Elizabeth Juhnke, South Dakota
Defense: Claire Mountjoy, Omaha

September 10
Offense: Madison Jurgens, South Dakota
Defense: Maddie Wiedenfeld, South Dakota

September 17
Offense: Sami Slaughter, South Dakota
Defense: Anne Rasmussen, South Dakota

September 24
Offense: Katie Crowe, Purdue Fort Wayne
Defense: Anne Rasmussen, South Dakota

October 1
Offensive: Sadie Limback, Omaha
Defensive: Anne Rasmussen, South Dakota

October 8
Offensive: CeCe Madison, Oral Roberts
Defensive: Sarah Thiessen, Oral Roberts

October 15
Offensive: Katie Crowe, Purdue Fort Wayne
Defensive: Rachael Crucis, Purdue Fort Wayne / Anne Rasmussen, South Dakota

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