Rochester, MN-

The Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC) has released its weekly volleyball awards for the week of September 26 - October 2.

Megan Rinicker, Central Lakes College middle hitter, earned the MCAC North Division Offensive Athlete-of-the-Week. Rinicker, in 9 sets, had 41 kills and only 4 errors in 72 attempts for a .514 hitting efficiency, and served 6 aces.  She also dug 20 balls and had a total of 9 blocks in the Raiders three wins.  Kaelynn Kudis, Minnesota North - Mesabi Range middle blocker, earns the MCAC North Division Defensive Athlete-of-the-Week award after blocking a total of 23 balls in 17 sets and getting 54 digs and 8 service aces to help her Norse team go 3-1 on the week.  Kudis also averaged 5.82 kills per set through the 4 matches.   

In the South Division, Kennedy Buckneberg, Minnesota West Community & Technical College outside hitter, had 37 kills in 83 attempts with only 8 errors to hit .349 on the week. Buckneberg also had 39 digs and 4 assists to lead the BlueJays to a 2-1 record on the week and earn the South Division Offensive Athlete-of-the-Week award. Avery Wanner, Minnesota State Community & Technical College libero, had 83 digs in 12 sets to average 6.92 digs per set and served up 5 aces on the week to earn the South Division Defensive Athlete of the Week award.  Wanner had a team high 38 digs in a win over Riverland Community College.

As MCAC teams compile games and statistics, keep tabs on Conference leaders at the following links:

MCAC Statistical Leaders:  https://mcacsports.org/sports/wvball/2022-23/leaders

MCAC Standings: https://mcacsports.org/sports/wvball/2022-23/standings

	MCAC Volleyball North Division Athletes of the Week
Megan Rinicker Central Lakes College SO / Middle Hitter Henning, MN	Offensive Athlete of the Week Sets Played:  9 Kills:  41 Hitting Errors:  4 Total Hitting Attempts:  72 Assists:  2 Service Aces:  6 Digs: 20 Blocks (solo): 4 Blocks (assisted): 5 Noteworthy Information:  Megan hit .514 on the week with a 4.55 kill/set average in her team's 3 wins. Next Contest: October 5 at Minnesota North - Mesabi Range Team Record: 10-10 overall, 7-4 in the MCAC
Kaelynn Kudis Minnesota North College - Mesabi Range SO / Middle Blocker Cherry, MN	Defensive Athlete of the Week Sets Played:  17 Digs:  54 Service Aces:  8 Solo Blocks:  10 Assisted Blocks:  13 Kills: 71 Noteworthy Information:  Kaelynn had 3.18 digs per set, 1.35 blocks per set, and 5.82 kills per set to lead her Norse team to a 3-1 record on the week. Next Contest:  October 5 vs. Central Lakes College Team Record: 11-7 overall, 8-3 in the MCAC

	MCAC Volleyball South Division Athletes of the Week
Kennedy Buckneberg Minnesota West Community & Technical College SO / Outside Hitter Garretson, SD	Offensive Athlete of the Week Sets Played:  11 Kills:  37 Hitting Errors:  8 Total Hitting Attempts:  83 Assists:  4 Service Aces:  0 Digs: 39 Noteworthy Information: Kennedy picked up her first athlete of the week award hitting .349  and averaging 3.36 kills per set to help her team go 2-1 on the week. Next Contest: October 5 at Riverland Community College Team Record: 9-11 overall, 4-4 in the MCAC
Avery Wanner Minnesota State Community & Technical College SO / Libero Bismarck, ND	Defensive Athlete of the Week Sets Played:  12 Digs:  83 Service Aces:  5 Noteworthy Information: Avery had a team high 38 digs in a win over Riverland Community College. Next Contest:  October 7 at Rochester Community & Technical College Team Record:  15-6 overall, 9-0 in the MCAC

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About the Minnesota College Athletic Conference

The Minnesota College Athletic Conference is the organizational body for NJCAA-affiliated two-year technical and community college athletic programs in the Minnesota State system.  The mission of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference is to advance intercollegiate athletics by providing an engaging and supportive environment for success of our student athletes and competition among member institutions.  The MCAC is committed to the guiding principles of encouraging the development and success of student athletes, promoting the integrity, honesty and loyalty to member schools as well as upholding the sustainability of conference athletic programs.