JU's Gerzel, SXU's Ritter, Opilka Land Women's Volleyball Player of the Week Recognition

CHICAGO --- Judson University's Alyssa Gerzel (Lake Villa, Ill.) and Saint Xavier University's Kaleigh Ritter (Tinley Park, Ill.) and Abbey Opilka (Dyer, Ind.) have been selected as the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Women's Volleyball Players of the Week after leading their respective teams to league wins during the seven-day period ending Sept. 17.  The league office made the announcement on Tuesday afternoon.

Gerzel averaged an impressive 5.75 kills per set with a .391 attack percentage in the Eagles' lone match of the week – a four-set win over Indiana University Northwest last Tuesday – to collect CCAC Attacker of the Week accord.  The junior opposite-side hitter also recorded 14 digs and two block assists in the match.

Winners of seven matches in a row, Judson is 7-1 overall and 4-0 in conference play.

Ritter, the CCAC Defender of the Week, and Opilka, the CCAC Setter of the Week, guided the Cougars to a pair of league wins last week over Olivet Nazarene University and Calumet College of St. Joseph. 

Ritter averaged 5.5 digs per set and made good on 53 of her 54 receptions.  The junior libero had 15 digs and was perfect on 21 receptions in a four-set victory against Olivet Nazarene University last Tuesday.  She followed that up with 29 digs and 33 receptions in 34 attempts in another four-set win on Thursday against Calumet College of St. Joseph.

Opilka averaged 10.4 assists and 2.0 digs in the two wins.  The freshman authored a season-high 42 assists in the Olivet Nazarene victory before recording a double-double (41 assists, 14 digs) on Thursday.

Saint Xavier is 3-1 in conference matchups and 5-6 overall on the campaign.

Other Attacker Nominees: Connie LeBel (Saint Xavier), Dej'a Williams (Trinity Christian), Halle Nicholas (Olivet Nazarene), Mackenzie Grafton (St. Ambrose), Gabriela Oliveira (St. Francis).  

Other Defender Nominees: Jorieliss Caraballo (Trinity Christian), Sabrina Sanif (Olivet Nazarene), Meredith Umland (St. Ambrose), Leah Talley (St. Francis).

Other Setter Nominees: Alexis Bartz (Trinity Christian), Hadleigh Loitz (Olivet Nazarene), Hannah Sondag (St. Ambrose), Kaylie Sippel (St. Francis).