Monday, November 21, 2016

PORTLAND, Ore. – Two 60-point performances in another big weekend of in-region non-conference basketball play leads the list of honorees for GNAC Players of the Week.

Central Washington guard Dom Hunter was tabbed as the Men’s Basketball Player of the Week after he scored 60 points in a split at the Oak Harbor Freight Lines Classic. The senior scored 33 points and connected on 9 of 15 from the field, 5 of 10 from three-point range and 10 of 11 from the free throw line in Friday’s 99-95 overtime win over Dixie State. Hunter then added 27 points on 10 of 22 from the field in a 104-93 loss to nationally-ranked Minnesota State. For his efforts, Hunter was named to the event’s All-Tournament Team.

Alaska guard Jordan Wilson received the Women’s Basketball Player of the Week award after she scored 60 points in a pair of games at the Al Kaly Shrine Classic in Pueblo, Colo. Wilson opened the tournament with 30 points in a 91-87 overtime loss to CSU Pueblo and then had 30 points in a 72-55 win over Western State. In the two games, Wilson connected on 62.1 percent from the field (23-34) and went 14 of 16 from the free throw line. Wilson also earned selection to the All-Tournament Team.

The Wildcats’ Shelby Mauritson was named the Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week after she led CWU in a pair of wins that should help the team qualify for the NCAA West Regional Tournament. The sophomore outside hitter finished with 18 kills in Thursday’s three-set sweep of of Western Oregon and added a 12-kill performance in Saturday’s sweep of Concordia. Mauritson finished averaging 4.67 kills per set.

Western Washington’s Abby Phelps was selected as the Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week. Phelps averaged 5.14 digs and 3.43 kills per set in two wins. She had a double-double of 15 kills and 24 digs and hit .204 in a four-ser win over Simon Fraser on Tuesday and added nine kills and 12 digs in Thursday’s sweep of Montana State Billings.

This week’s GNAC Players of the Week honors four athletes from three conference schools. Central Washington leads the way with two selections.

GNAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK SELECTIONS – WEEK 12
VOLLEYBALL
Offensive: Shelby Mauritson (Central Washington, OH, 5-10, So., Madras, Ore. – Madras): Mauritson led the Wildcats in a pair of must-win matches to solidify their spot in the West Region rankings. She averaged 4.67 kills per set in the two matches, paced by an 18-kill performance in Thursday’s three-set sweep of Western Oregon. Mauritson finished the regular season with a 12-kill performance in Saturday’s win over Concordia. Also Nominated: Tamara Nipp (Simon Fraser), Brenna Huwe (Concordia), Amanda Short (Western Oregon), Stormy Siemion (Montana State Billings), Brette Boesel (Western Washington), Kendra Bodine (Northwest Nazarene).

Defensive: Abby Phelps (Western Washington, OH, 5-10, So., Manson, Wash. – Chelan): Phelps closed the regular season by averaging 5.14 digs and 3.43 kills per set in two wins. She finished with a double-double of 15 kills and 24 digs and hit .204 in a four-set win over Simon Fraser on Tuesday and added nine kills and 12 digs in Thursday’s sweep of Montana State Billings. Also Nominated: Alison McKay (Simon Fraser), Brianna Hogan (Concordia), Christie Colasurdo (Western Oregon), Shayli Siegfreid (Northwest Nazarene).

MEN’S BASKETBALL
Dom Hunter (Central Washington, G, 6-0, Sr., Federal Way, Wash. – Univ. of Alaska Anchorage): Hunter was named to the Oak Harbor Freight Lines Classic All-Tournament Team after scoring 60 points in the Wildcats’ two contests. He scored 33 points on 9 of 15 from the field, 5 of 10 from three-point range and 10 of 11 from the free throw line in a 99-95 overtime win over Dixie State and added 27 points on 10 of 22 from the field in Saturday’s loss to nationally-ranked Minnesota State. Also Nominated: JJ Pankratz (Simon Fraser), Drew Martin (Concordia), Yanick Kulich (Western Oregon), Sekou Wiggs (Alaska Anchorage), Preston Beverly (Montana State Billings), Taylor Stafford (Western Washington), Kaileb Rodriguez (Northwest Nazarene).

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Jordan Wilson (Alaska, F, 5-11, Sr., Henderson, Colo. – Prairie View): Wilson was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Al Kaly Shrine Classic after she scored 30 points in back-to-back games, a 91-87 overtime loss to CSU Pueblo and a 72-55 win over Western State. Wilson connected on 62.1 percent of her shots from the field (23-34) and went 14 of 16 from the free throw line to go along with nine rebounds, five steals and two assists. Also Nominated: Erin Higbie (Concordia), Shelby Snook (Western Oregon), Rylee Kane (Montana State Billings), Taylor Peacocke (Western Washington), Erica Pagano (Seattle Pacific), Danielle Jardine (Northwest Nazarene).