Rochester, Mn-
The Southern Division of MCAC Volleyball enjoyed a busy week with several matches that will impact the playoff picture for most teams. Notably, Rochester Community & Technical College handed St. Cloud Technical & Community College only their second MCAC setback in Southern Division play, while Minnesota West topped nationally-ranked M State. The top individual performances from matches played over the past week have been recognized as Players-of-the-Week in the Southern Division of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference.
MCAC Southern Division Defensive Player-of-the-Week:
After defeating SCTCC, Anoka-Ramsey and Western Technical College, Rochester Community & Technical College climbed up the standings ladder for the Division. The strong defensive play of Kazlin Thompson was a major force behind the Yellowjacket success; Thompson had 21 digs against the top-ranked Cyclones and had another 29 combined in the outings against the Golden Rams and Cavaliers. The Big Lake, Minnesota product competes in the libero role for for coach Amber Zitzow's squad, currently sitting in third place in the MCAC South. RCTC returns to action on Thursday and Friday of this week, when they attend the MCAC/Twin Cities Gateway Crossover tournament at Anoka-Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids.
MCAC Southern Division Hitter-of-the-Week:
Minnesota West Community & Technical College took a page out of RCTC's playbook this week, to upset another nationally ranked MCAC squad, when they dealt M State a 3-2 setback. A key to the LadyJay success was the hitting ability of Nichole Rowe , who tallied a hitting percentage of .571 and four blocks. The middle blocker from Worthington helped Minnesota West move into within striking distance of the top four teams in the Southern Division - and with it - a spot in the NJCAA Region XIIIA tournament. Rowe and MnWest will next compete against ARCC on Wednesday and at the MCAC/Twin Cities Gateway Crossover tournament at Anoka-Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids on Thursday.
MCAC Southern Division Setter-of-the-Week:
St. Cloud Technical & Community College picked up a pair of victories over the past week, including a 3-0 shutout over NJCAA Division II Dakota County Technical College. Cyclone sophomore, Kalli Mathiasen, consistently set up her teammates and took care of business defensively for SCTCC and coach Heidi Smith. The Apollo high school product had 127 set assists in over three matches, contributed 7 service aces and collected 29 digs. Despite a 3-1 setback to Rochester CTC, Mathiasen and her team still sit in first place in the Southern Division. For her efforts on the floor for SCTCC, Kalli Mathiasen is the MCAC South Setter-of-the-Week.
MCAC Southern Division All-Around Player-of-the-Week:
RCTC student-athlete Tara Rogers has been named the All-Around Player-of-the-Week in the Southern Division for MCAC Volleyball. The Stewartville, Minnesota product, had 18 kills in the Rochester victory over St. Cloud Technical & Community College, and added 21 more combined in wins over Anoka-Ramsey and Western Tech. Rogers' comprehensive effort included eight service aces over the week and 20 digs combined between the SCTCC and ARCC contests. Rogers and her teammates will travel to the MCAC/Twin Cities Gateway Crossover tournament at Anoka-Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids later this week.
For full MCAC Volleyball Stats, Standings and more, visit: http://www.mcacsports.org/sports/wvball/index
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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.