BISMARCK, ND (PlayNorthStar.com) – The North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) announced its first edition of 2024 volleyball players-of-the-week honors Monday. Sydney Schell of Dakota State (S.D.) was selected as the Attacker-of-the-Week, while her teammate Kate VanRooyan was named as the Defender-of-the-Week. Sadie Hansen of Valley City State (N.D.) was chosen as the Setter-of-the-Week.
NSAA Volleyball Attacker-of-the-Week
Sydney Schell – Dakota State (S.D.) – 5’8”, Senior, outside hitter – Aberdeen, S.D. – Schell averaged 3.4 kills per set to help (RV) Dakota State (S.D.) to a 2-2 record in the Keiser (Fla.) Vipers Sports Academy Classic. She highlighted with a 23-kill performance (4.6 kills per set) and .375 hitting percentage, despite a 3-2 setback to No. 11 ranked Missouri Baptist. She posted double digits digs in all four matches and earned double-doubles twice during the tournament. Schell finished the tournament with 54 total kills, 58 digs (3.6 digs per set), and nine blocks (0.6 blocks per set).
NSAA Volleyball Setter-of-the-Week
Sadie Hansen – Valley City State (N.D.) – 5’10”, Senior, setter – Oakes, N.D. – Hansen totaled 147 set assists to help No. 22 Valley City State (N.D.) to a 2-2 record in the Keiser (Fla.) Vipers Sports Academy Classic. She posted a triple-double to take down (RV) Indiana Tech in five sets, including 47 assists, 17 digs, and 10 kills. Hansen finished the tournament with 8.7 assists per set, 47 total digs (2.8 digs per set) and 20 kills (1.2 kills per set). She also had six blocks in the tournament.
NSAA Volleyball Defender-of-the-Week
Kate VanRooyan – Dakota State (S.D.) – 5’5”, Sophomore, defensive specialist – Dakota Dunes, S.D. – VanRooyan paced (RV) Dakota State (S.D.) with 80 total digs (6.0 digs per set), going 2-2 record in the Keiser (Fla.) Vipers Sports Academy Classic. She hit double digits digs in all four matches, including 31 digs (6.2 digs per set) in Trojans’ 3-2 season opening victory over Campbellsville (Ky.). VanRooyan also finished the tournament with 16 set assists. She produced 77 receptions and committed just two reception errors for a .974 reception rate.