Rochester, MN-

The Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC) has released its volleyball athlete of the week awards for the week of August 26 - September 1. 

Ella Hesse, outside hitter for Minnesota West Community and Technical College, earned a South Division Offensive Athlete of the Week award after breaking the Lady Jays all-time kills record (486). Hesse had 76 kills on 206 swings during the week for a .247 hitting percentage. She added nine assists, 11 service aces, 93 digs, and 8 blocks to her stat line. Kadyn Paulson, libero for Minnesota West Community and Technical College, earned the South Division Defensive Athlete of the Week honor. Paulson had 96 digs, averaging 3.84 digs per set, and added 10 service aces to help the Lady Jays go 4-2 on the week. 

Aspen Gentele, right-side hitter for Alexandria Technical and Community College, hit .370 on the week with 27 kills on 54 swings in her 10 sets played to earn the MCAC North Division Offensive Athlete of the Week honor. Gentele led an offensive effort for the Legends that secured three more wins for her team.  Jerzie Gustafson, libero for Minnesota North College - Mesabi Range, was named the MCAC North Division Defensive Athlete of the Week for the second straight week. Gustafson averaged 4.85 digs per set, digging 63 balls in the 13 sets she played. She also had three service aces and contributed 10 assists, helping her Norse team to a 2-1 record on the week.

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

MCAC Statistical Leaders:  https://mcacsports.org/sports/wvball/2024-25/leaders

MCAC Standings: https://mcacsports.org/sports/wvball/2024-25/standings

	MCAC Volleyball South Division Athletes of the Week
Ella Hesse Minnesota West Community and Technical College SO / Outside Hitter Tyler, MN	Offensive Athlete of the Week Sets Played:  25 Kills:  76 Hitting Errors:  25 Total Hitting Attempts:  203 Assists:  9 Service Aces:  11 Service Errors:  0 Noteworthy Information:  Ella hit .247 on the week and averaged 3.72 digs per set. Next Contest: September 6 vs. Dallas College North Lake at College of DuPage Team Record: 8-2 overall, 0-0 in the MCAC South Division
Kadyn Paulson Minnesota West Community and Technical College FR / Libero Windom, MN	Defensive Athlete of the Week Sets Played:  25 Digs:  96 Service Aces:  10 Solo Blocks:  0 Assisted Blocks:  0 Service Errors: 0 Noteworthy Information:  Kadyn averaged 3.84 digs per set during the week. Next Contest: September 6 vs. Dallas College North Lake at College of DuPage Team Record: 8-2 overall, 0-0 in the MCAC South Division

	MCAC Volleyball North Division Athletes of the Week
Aspen Gentele Alexandria Technical and Community College FR / Right Side Hitter Alexandria, MN	Offensive Athlete of the Week Sets Played:  10 Kills:  27 Hitting Errors:  7 Total Hitting Attempts:  54 Assists:  0 Service Aces:  0 Service Errors:  0 Noteworthy Information:  Aspen hit .370 on the week. Next Contest: September 4 vs. Minnesota North College - Itasca Team Record: 5-2 overall, 3-0 in the MCAC South Division
Jerzie Gustafson Minnesota North College - Mesabi Range SO / Libero Hibbing, MN	Defensive Athlete of the Week Sets Played:  13 Digs:  63 Service Aces:  3 Solo Blocks:  0 Assisted Blocks:  0 Service Errors:  2 Noteworthy Information: Jerzie averaged 4.85 digs per set and added ten assists. Next Contest:  September 4 at Central Lakes College Team Record:  3-4 overall, 2-1 in the MCAC North Division

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.