Monday, November 6, 2017

PORTLAND, Ore. – Humboldt State quarterback Robert Webber and Central Washington running back Hasani Childs both posted performances worthy of Football Offensive Player of the Week honors last weekend as the pair share the award and lead the list of GNAC Player of the Week winners.

Webber led the Lumberjacks to a 48-3 road victory at Western State by completing 21 of 29 passes for 380 yards and three touchdowns. In the process, the senior took over the Division II lead in both passing efficiency (194.4) and yards per pass attempt (11.09).

Childs, meanwhile, rushed 27 times for 226 yards and three touchdowns as the Wildcats claimed a share of the GNAC championship with a 51-0 blanking of Simon Fraser. The rushing performance was the second best in the GNAC this season. Childs also returned a pair of kickoffs for 32 yards.

Humboldt State and Central Washington will meet in Arcata, Calif., on Saturday in a game that has been picked up by the NCAA Division II Football Showcase to be streamed nationally on ESPN3.

Western Oregon’s Bo Highburger earned Football Defensive Player of the Week honors for 15 tackles against Azusa Pacific and the Cougars’ Aaron Berry was named the Special Teams Player of the Week for his two blocked kicks in the victory over the Wolves.

Volleyball also saw a pair of players share its Offensive Player of the Week award. Northwest Nazarene’s Madi Farrell earned her third selection of the season after she finished with 29 kills, 4.24 kills per set, 12 blocks and a .610 hitting percentage in the Nighthawks’ home wins over Saint Martin’s and Simon Fraser.

Western Washington’s Joellee Buckner won her second offensive honor and third overall award of the season with her balanced effort of 26 kills, 37 digs and a .382 hitting percentage in the Vikings’ wins over Alaska and Alaska Anchorage.

Simon Fraser’s Katie Dolguikh was named the Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week for her 43 digs and 7.17 digs per set as the Clan won home matches over Alaska and Alaska Anchorage. It was the Clan’s first ever victory over the Seawolves and came in a three-set sweep.

Saint Martin’s forward Brandon Madsen won the final Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week award after he scored four goals and had an assist in the Saint’s final two matches. He had a hat trick and an assist in the Saint’s 5-3 win over Montana State Billings on Thursday with all three goals coming in the opening 24 minutes of the match.

Simon Fraser defender Michael North was named the Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in organizing Simon Fraser’s backline in a 2-0 win over Seattle Pacific and a 0-0 tie with Western Washington. He helped the Clan win the 2017 GNAC men’s soccer championship.

GNAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK SELECTIONS – WEEK 10
FOOTBALL
Offensive: Robert Webber (Humboldt State, QB, 5-9, Sr., Corona, Calif. – Corona Centennial): Webber completed 21 of 29 passes for 380 yards and three touchdowns to lead Humboldt State to a 48-3 road win at Western State on Saturday. With the performance, the senior moved into first in NCAA Division II in passing efficiency (194.4) and yards per pass attempt (11.09).

Hasani Childs (Central Washington, RB, 5-7, So., University Place, Wash. – Curtis): Childs rushed 27 times for 226 yards, the second-best rushing performance in the GNAC this season, and scored three touchdowns in Central Washington’s 51-0 win at Simon Fraser. Childs also had two kick returns for 32 yards. Also Nominated: Tyrone Williams, Jr., (Azusa Pacific).

Defensive: Bo Highburger (Western Oregon, LB, 6-1, Jr., Veneta, Ore. – Elmira): Highburger led Western Oregon with 15 tackles, including seven solo tackles, and had one fumble recovery in the Wolves’ 41-16 loss to Azusa Pacific. It is the second most tackles by a GNAC player this season.

Special Teams: Aaron Berry (Azusa Pacific, S, 6-2, Jr., Perris, Calif. – Perris): Berry had a pair of blocked kicks, one on a PAT and one of a punt that led to a fourth-quarter touchdown, as Azusa Pacific won at Western Oregon, 41-16. He also led the Azusa Pacific defense with six tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss.

MEN’S SOCCER
Offensive: Brandon Madsen (Saint Martin’s, F, 6-2, So., Auburn, Wash. – Seattle Univ.): Madsen had four goals and an assist as the Saints ended the season with a 1-1 week. Madsen finished with a hat trick and an assist in Thursday’s 5-3 win over Montana State Billings, scoring all three goals in the first 24 minutes of the match. He then added a goal in the 2-1 loss to Northwest Nazarene on Saturday. Also Nominated: Kieran McGinn (Concordia), JD Hauenstein (Montana State Billings), Rafael Junquiera (Northwest Nazarene), Mamadi Camara (Simon Fraser).

Defensive: Michael North (Simon Fraser, D, 5-8 Jr., Coquitlam, B.C. – Archbishop Carney): North organized a Simon Fraser backline that helped the Clan record a pair of shutouts and win the GNAC championship. The Clan posted a 2-0 shutout over Seattle Pacific and then played Western Washington to a 0-0 tie to finish the regular season. Also Nominated: Realf Zhivanaj (Montana State Billings), Sebastian Navarro (Saint Martin’s).

VOLLEYBALL
Offensive: Madi Farrell (Northwest Nazarene, MB, 6-2, Sr., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho – Lake City): Farrell finished with 29 kills, 4.24 kills per set, 12 blocks and a .610 hitting percentage (29-3-42) to help the Nighthawks to a pair of home victories. She finished with 15 kills, a .480 hitting percentage and five blocks in Thursday’s four-set win over Saint Martin’s. Farrell then finished with 14 kills, a .824 hitting percentage and seven blocks in Saturday’s three-set sweep of Seattle Pacific.

Joellee Buckner (Western Washington, OPP, 5-10, Sr., Colville, Wash. – Colville): Buckner had a solid all-around week for the Vikings with 26 kills, 37 digs and no attack errors with a .382 hitting percentage in two wins. She finished with 15 kills and 28 digs to go along with an ace and three blocks in Thursday’s four-set win over Alaska Anchorage. Buckner added 11 kills and a .524 hitting percentage along with nine digs in Saturday’s three-set sweep of Alaska. Also Nominated: Shelby Mauritson (Central Washington), Lindsey Dorsey (Concordia), Maddi Vigil (Montana State Billings), Nicolette Nesbitt (Saint Martin’s), Christine Howlett (Simon Fraser).

Defensive: Katerina Dolguikh (Simon Fraser, L, 5-9, Jr., North Vancouver, B.C. – Argyle): Dolguikh led the Clan with 43 digs and averaged 7.17 digs per set as Simon Fraser swept the Alaska schools. She finished with 20 digs in the Clan’s three-set sweep of Alaska on Thursday and then finished with 23 digs and two aces to help led SFU to their first ever victory over Alaska Anchorage. Also Nominated: Kyla Morgan (Central Washington), Colby Barnette (Concordia), Izela Alvarez (Montana State Billings), Hannah Neumann (Saint Martin’s), Aubrey Buckner (Western Washington).