Winker, Connor Headline First Edition of Players of the Week

BISMARK, N.D. – The North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) has released the first edition of the 2023 Volleyball Players of the Week. Kenzie Winker was selected as the Attacker of the Week, while Maddie Connor was named Setter of the Week.

Winker totaled 51 kills (4.6 kills per set) and hit .300 in the tournament as No. 7 ranked Viterbo (Wis.) went 4-0 undefeated record.  She recorded 21 kills in a 3-0 win over Grace (Ind.), the third highest kills total in a three-set match in VU's school history (7.0 digs per set), and the second highest total of her career.  Winker added 11 total digs and four blocks during the tournament.

Connor contributed 10.3 set assists per set, fueling the V-Hawks to a team .300 hitting percentage that guided to a 4-0 record without dropping a set in the ONESET Tournament in Fort Wayne, Ind.  The V-Hawks also swept a pair of NAIA's Top 25 preseason teams in the tournament.  She accumulated 124 set assists in the tournament and produced 10 service aces (0.8 aces per set).  Connor also registered five kills and 19 digs for the week.

Taylan Keefer of Bellevue University (Neb.) was named the Defender of the Week alongside the two V-Hawks.

Viterbo returns to action on Thursday, August 24 against Grand View (Iowa) in the first match of the Midland University (Neb.) Tournament. Following that, they face three matches against Top 10 teams in #2 Corban (Ore.), #8 Missouri Baptist, and #9 Midland.