SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – South Dakota outside hitter Lauren Medeck and Denver middle blocker Molly Mirabelli were named the Summit League Volleyball Peak Performers of the Week, respectively, league officials announced on Tuesday.
Medeck, who earned the weekly offensive award, was named the USD Classic MVP after totaling 49 kills, nine total blocks, and recording two double-doubles as the Coyotes went 3-0 during their home tournament.
The Papillion, Neb. native hit .266 from the floor and recorded her first double-double of the season, putting away a season high 20 kills to go with 18 digs in a victory over Montana State.
The Coyote freshmen then registered 16 kills and six digs against Iowa State while garnering a .310 hitting percentage. The final match of the weekend against UTEP saw Medeck produce her second double-double of the tournament with 13 kills and 10 digs.
Mirabelli, who garnered the weekly defensive accolade, recorded 20 blocks in three matches during a 2-1 week for the Pioneers. The Traverse, City, Mich. native currently ranks third in Division I with 44 total blocks on the season. She led the Pioneers with 1.81 blocks per set last week and her season average of 1.52 blocks per set places her 17th among DI players.
Mirabelli recorded 12 kills and seven total blocks during Denver’s first battle with Air Force, while also hitting at a .611 clip. During the second match-up with the Falcons, she improved upon those numbers, garnering 12 kills, eight total blocks and hitting .667.
The final challenge of the weekend came against Northern Colorado where the graduate senior produced seven kills with five blocks in a four-set loss to the Bears.
OFFENSIVE PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Lauren Medeck, South Dakota
Fr. | OH | Papillion, Neb.
- Collected two double-doubles to go with 49 total kills and 34 digs during a 3-0 week for the Coyotes
- Tallied 20 kills and 18 digs in a five-set win over Montana State
- Notched 16 kills and six digs, while hitting at a .310 clip in a 3-1 victory over Iowa State and had 13 kills and 10 digs in a 3-1 victory against UTEP.
- Earned her first career weekly offensive accolade
Also nominated: Cassie Davis (Denver), Kaia Dunford (Kansas City), Lauren Perugini (North Dakota), Bailey Randall (North Dakota State), Kali Jurgensmeier (Omaha), Sylvie Zgonc (South Dakota State), Tezra Rudzitis (St. Thomas).
DEFENSIVE PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Molly Mirabelli, Denver
GR. | MB | Traverse City, Mich.
- Averaged 1.81 blocks per set during a 2-1 week of play for the Pioneers
- Posted 20 total blocks and 31 kills
- Garnered eight blocks in DU’s first win against Air Force while also contributing 12 Kills in a second winning effort against the Falcons.
- Earned her first career weekly defensive accolade
Also nominated: Leah Green (Kansas City), Jarolin de los Santos Lugo (North Dakota), Ali Hinze (North Dakota State), Kali Jurgensmeier (Omaha), Morgan Bode (South Dakota), Sydni Schetnan (South Dakota State), Ella Voegele (St. Thomas).
2024 Volleyball Players of the Week
September 3
O: Sylvie Zgonc, South Dakota State
D: Jarolin de los Santos Lugo, North Dakota
September 10
O: Lauren Galvin, St. Thomas
D: Ella Voegele, St. Thomas
September 17
O: Lauren Medeck, South Dakota
D: Molly Mirabelli, Denver
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