LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference announced its Women's Volleyball Athletes of the Week honorees. In the West, Clarion's Reagan Stader and California's Olivia Weiseman was selected as Co-Athlete of the Week while California's Caroline Mercer was named Defensive Athlete of the Week. In the East, the East Stroudsburg's Allison Birtcil (Athlete) and Shepherd's Gracie Zartman (Defensive) earned the honors.
Western Division Co-Athlete of the Week
Raegan Stader
Clarion
Outside Hitter
Sophomore
Monrovia, Ind. / Monrovia
Stader helped propel the Golden Eagles to a pair of wins last week, keeping Clarion's postseason hopes alive as they swept IUP 3-0 and held off Pitt-Johnstown 3-2 in the final two home matches of the season. Stader hit .300 with an average of 3.25 kills per set, including a monster match against the Mountain Cats. Stader totaled six kills in three sets against IUP, hitting .333 with just one error, but blew up for 20 kills and a .289 attack percentage on Saturday in a crucial win over UPJ.
Western Division Co-Athlete of the Week
Olivia Weiseman
California
Outside Hitter / Setter
Freshman
Monroe, Ohio / Monroe
Weiseman registered a pair of triple-doubles over the weekend, as the Vulcans earned two home victories in PSAC West action. She averaged 4.00 kills, 4.12 assists, 2.75 digs, 1.12 digs and 4.56 points per set in wins over Edinboro and Gannon. On Friday, she became the program’s first player since 2012 to post a triple-double in a 3-1 victory against Edinboro. Weiseman finished with 14 kills, 14 assists, 11 digs and four blocks versus the Fighting Scots. The following day, the Ohio native totaled 18 kills, 19 assists, 11 digs and five blocks in a 3-1 win over Gannon – which entered play undefeated in league play and had already secured the top seed in the PSAC West. Weiseman helped the Vulcans snap a 15-match losing streak to the Golden Knights that dated back to the 2016 campaign.
* Not for public information, Weiseman has served as an outside hitter this season as part of the team’s 6-2 rotation. She shifted into the secondary setter role this weekend following an injury to a setter just before Friday’s match. *
Western Division Defensive Athlete of the Week
Caroline Mercer
California
Libero
Senior
Shadyside, Ohio / Shadyside
Mercer recorded a pair of dig/assist double-doubles from the libero position, as California posted two home wins in PSAC West play over the weekend. She averaged 5.88 digs and 2.75 assists per set over eight sets in victories against Edinboro and Gannon. Mercer tallied 26 digs and 12 assists on Friday in a 3-1 win over Edinboro. The following day, the Ohio native posted 21 digs and 10 assists against PSAC West-leading Gannon in a 3-1 victory. Mercer helped the Vulcans snap a 15-match losing streak to the Golden Knights that dated back to the 2016 campaign. Gannon entered Saturday undefeated in league play and had already secured the top seed in the PSAC West.
Eastern Division Athlete of the Week
Allison Birtcil
East Stroudsburg
Opposite Hitter
Senior
Tucson, Ariz.
East Stroudsburg defeated Millersville 3-0 (Fri.) & West Chester 3-2 (Sat.) - ESU is on a nine-match win streak and is 4-0 when matches go to five sets. Birtcil had 3 total blocks, 14 kills (led floor), .448 hitting, 15.5 points against Millersville and 2 total blocks, 22 kills (career high), .364 hitting, 23.5 points against West Cheste. She finished the week with 5 total blocks, 36 kills, .406 avg hitting, 39 points.
Eastern Division Defensive Athlete of the Week
Gracie Zartman
Shepherd
Libero
Sophomore
Leonardtown, Md. / Leonardtown
Zartman averaged 23.5 digs in a 2-0 week for the Rams. She added seven assists and three aces on the week.