USF's Anderson Gains Pair of Weekly VB Honors, SXU's Ritter Repeats As Top Setter

CHICAGO --- University of St. Francis' Desiree Anderson (Joliet, Ill.) gained two of the three Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Women's Volleyball Player of the Week awards for the seven-day period from Sept. 30-October 6 when they were announced by the league office on Tuesday, while Saint Xavier University's Kaleigh Ritter (Tinley Park, Ill.) claimed the other recognition for the second week in a row.

Anderson was a force on both offense and defense over the last seven days to earn the pair of awards, CCAC Attacker and Defender of the Week.  For the former distinction, it marked the second time this season that the senior outside hitter was recognized.

Anderson authored three double-doubles among her four matches played last week, averaging 3.18 kills and 4.06 digs per set to go along with 96 receptions in 97 attempts (.990) and ten blocks (1 solo, 9 assisted).  She also eclipsed the 1,500-kill mark for her career.

Anderson started off her week with 16 kills, 14 digs and 29 receptions in a four-set loss to Judson University on Thursday.  One day later, she matched her 15 kills, while totaling 24 digs, 16 receptions and three block assists in a five-set loss to William Woods University (Mo.).

Anderson's other doubled-double came on Saturday in another five-set setback, this time to Stephens College (Mo.).  In that affair, she put up 17 kills, 21 digs, 27 receptions and five block assists.

St. Francis is 4-2 against league competition and 12-13 overall.

Ritter claimed her second straight CCAC Setter of the Week award after leading the Cougars to a pair of league wins courtesy of her 72 assists (10.29 average), 39 digs (5.57), three aces and three block assists.  The senior totaled 40 assists and 26 digs in a four-set victory over Indiana University Northwest on Saturday.  Four days earlier on Tuesday, she contributed 32 assists and 13 digs in a straight-set victory over St. Ambrose University.  

With the two CCAC victories, Saint Xavier maintained its share of first place (6-0) in the league standings, while improving to 10-9 overall.

Other Attacker Nominees: Audrey Buis (Indiana South Bend), Alyssa Gerzel (Judson), Mackenzie Grafton (St. Ambrose), Courtney Hunter (Saint Xavier), Kaitlyn Kolb (Olivet Nazarene), Erica Packwood (Indiana Northwest), Dej'a Williams (Trinity Christian).

Other Defender Nominees: Makenzi Bennett (Trinity Christian), Maisie Green (Judson)), Ryleigh Grott (Indiana South Bend), Avanna Martinez (Saint Xavier), Kenidi McCabe (Viterbo), Sabrina Sanif (Olivet Nazarene), Briah Strezo (Indiana Northwest), Kenia Diaz Vega (St. Ambrose).

Other Setter Nominees: Ella Johnson (Olivet Nazarene), Brynn Lake (Indiana South Bend), Ines Marques (St. Ambrose), Josephine Mulligan (Indiana Northwest), Yareli Pacheco (Governors State), Alina Romero (Judson), Kaylie Sippel (St. Francis), Sharide Sykes (Trinity Christian).