Rochester, MN-

The Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC) has released its volleyball athlete of the week awards for the week of September 16-22. 

Minnesota West Community and Technical College middle blocker Ally Nelson earned the South Division Offensive Athlete of the Week award with her 18 kills on the week. Nelson hit .459, making only one hitting error on 37 swings in the seven sets she played. She also added seven blocks to help the Lady Jays to a 3-0 record during the week. Presley Kenning, outside hitter for St. Cloud Technical and Community College, had 36 digs and two blocks in six sets played to help the Cyclones grab two more wins and secure them a top 15 national ranking for another week. Kenning had four service aces and 23 kills to go along with her 6.0 digs per set average, which earned her the South Division Defensive Athlete of the Week honor.  

Chesney Phillipp, middle blocker for Central Lakes College, hit .450 on the week and averaged 3.5 kills per set to earn the MCAC North Division Offensive Athlete of the Week honor. In her 12 sets, Phillipp killed 42 balls on 80 swings and added two service aces. She also had 11 blocks in the Raiders' three wins. Jerzie Gustafson, libero for Minnesota North College-Mesabi Range, dug up 73 balls in 11 sets, averaging 6.64 digs per set to earn the MCAC North Division Defensive Athlete of the Week. Gustafson also had five service aces in her team's three wins this 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
Ally Nelson Minnesota West Community and Technical College FR / Middle Blocker Tyler, MN	Offensive Athlete of the Week Sets Played:  7 Kills:  18 Hitting Errors:  1 Total Hitting Attempts:  37 Assists:  0 Service Aces:  0 Service Errors:  0 Noteworthy Information:  Ally hit .459 and contributed 7 blocks to help the Lady Jays retain their top 5 national ranking. Next Contest: September 27 at Dakota County Technical College Team Record: 17-3 overall, 4-0 in the MCAC South Division
Presley Kenning St. Cloud Technical and Community College FR / OH Annandale, MN	Defensive Athlete of the Week Sets Played:  6 Digs:  36 Service Aces:  24 Solo Blocks:  0 Assisted Blocks:  2 Service Errors: 5 Noteworthy Information:  Presley hit .307 with 23 kills to accompany her 6.0 digs/set average. Next Contest: September 25 at Anoka-Ramsey Community College Team Record: 9-3 overall, 3-0 in the MCAC South Division

	MCAC Volleyball North Division Athletes of the Week
Chesney Phillipp Central Lakes College SO / Middle Blocker Jacksonville, NC	Offensive Athlete of the Week Sets Played:  12 Kills:  42 Hitting Errors: 6 Total Hitting Attempts:  80 Assists:  1 Service Aces:  2 Service Errors:  2 Noteworthy Information:  Chesney hit .450 and averaged 3.5 kills/set, and also had 11 blocks for the week. Next Contest: September 25 vs. Northland Community and Technical College Team Record: 12-5 overall, 7-1 in the MCAC North Division
Jerzie Gustafson Minnesota North College - Mesabi Range SO / Libero Hibbing, MN	Defensive Athlete of the Week Sets Played:  11 Digs:  73 Service Aces:  5 Solo Blocks:  0 Assisted Blocks:  0 Service Errors:  3 Noteworthy Information: Jerzie averaged 6.63 digs/set in three wins, two of which were over NJCAA DII colleges. Next Contest:  September 24 vs. Minnesota North College - Hibbing Team Record:  6-8 overall, 3-4 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.