compliments of www.sunconference.com
MIAMI, Fla. | Sun Conference fall sports are hitting a midpoint as the standings start to shape into a playoff picture. St. Thomas and Keiser are the only teams to double up on awards with the Bobcats leading the way with four.
These awards are based on performances from October 10 to October 16.
Volleyball Players of the Week
Sun Conference Volleyball Attacker of the Week
Caroline Souza – Florida Memorial | Jr. – Outside Hitter – Parana City, Brazil
Souza, who leads the conference in kills per set, was a dominant force in the Lions' 3 wins, racking up 54 total kills, eight aces, seven blocks and 40 digs in a perfect 3-0 for FMU.
Sun Conference Volleyball Defender of the Week
Bianca Grassi – St. Thomas| So. – Libero – Livorno, Italy
Bianca Grassi's impact on the court continues to be the stability the back row needs for the Bobcats as they ride an eight-match win streak. Grassi picked up 74 digs on the week for a 5.69 set average, 55 of which were in conference for a 6.11 set average. Grassi was a crucial component in the five-set win against Ave Maria taking on the challenge of keeping the ball alive from two of the top attackers in the conference ad doing so with a 31-dig performance.
Sun Conference Volleyball Setter of the Week
Isadora Tavares – St. Thomas | Jr. – Setter – Sao Paulo, Brazil
Isadora Tavares dominated Sun Conference action this week with two 20+ assists performances. In a much needed win against AMU to tie for first place, Tavares led the Bobcat setters with 25 assists. The junior transfer had a 5.89 assists per set average this week in conference action and 5.46 overall. St. Thomas currently rides an eight match win streak.
Men's Soccer Players of the Week
Sun Conference Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week
Lucas Nishioka – (RV) Southeastern| So. – Midfielder – Buenos Aires, Argentina
Nishioka recorded a goal in each contest this week, including the first goal against SUN opponent SCAD Savannah off a corner kick that he curved into the top corner for an unassisted goal.
Sun Conference Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Santiago Nebot – #6 Keiser | Fr. – Goalkeeper – Valencia, Spain
Racked up 10 saves in two shutouts in this week of SUN conference play.
-
Women's Soccer Players of the Week
Sun Conference Women's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week
Sasha Manders – Thomas | Fr. – Forward – Dunstable, England
Sasha Manders has been a strong force for the Night Hawks. The Forward had a big-time game against Warner University last week with her first collegiate hat trick during her freshman season.
Sun Conference Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Maja Henriksson – #1 Keiser | Jr. – Defender – Gothenburg, Sweden
Maja Henriksson had a phenomenal week of defending and passing from the back line leading to two shutout victories for Keiser. Against Florida Memorial, Henriksson tied the second-best assist total for a game in program history with four helpers. She followed up that performance with assists on both goals for the Seahawks in their 2-0 win over St. Thomas.
-
Football Players of the Week
Sun Conference Football Offensive Player of the Week
Rontavious Farmer – #23 St. Thomas | So. – Running Back – Palm Bay, Fla.
Rontavoius Farmer continues to dominate with his fifth 100+ rushing yard game. Farmer scored two touchdowns and averaged 5.2 yards a carry. The sophomore set the tone for the Bobcats scoring in the first drive and taking the Battle of Miami Gardens. Farmer is third in touchdowns (10), third in yards per game (133.5), and fourth in rushing yards at 801. The sophomore is 58-yards from breaking his own single season record. This was also a season high in rushing yards for the Bobcats offense (263).
Sun Conference Football Defensive Player of the Week
Nick Maroon– Ave Maria | Sr. – Defensive Back – Sarasota, Fla.
Maroon played a major role in Ave Maria's win over Webber, as the defensive back took a interception 36 yards for a touchdown to give the Gyrenes a 10-7 lead in the first half. Maroon added four tackles and broke up two passes, as well. His two pass breakups moved him into a tie for first in AMU history with 16 throughout his Gyrene career.
Sun Conference Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Jaden Meizinger – #20 Keiser | So. – Running Back – Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Jaden Meizinger recorded 138 yards on kick returns, including a 97-yard return for a touchdown on the opening kick of the Seahawk's 56-7 win over the Warner Royals on Saturday. The return not only set the tone for the game but set the school record for the longest kick return, breaking the previous long held by Caleb Walls (91 yards at Reinhardt - 11/20/21). His 138 kick return yards were the second-most by a Seahawk in a single game. Receiving only two kickoffs in the game Meizinger made the most of his opportunities, averaging 69.0 yards per return. He also added a rushing touchdown in the game (a 9-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter). On the year, Meizinger has recorded six returns for 45 yards, averaging 40.8 yards per return.
