By: Nash Loibl, Advanced Graduate Assistant / Strategic Communications

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Colorado School of Mines’ Jenna McLaughlin joins the University of Colorado Colorado Springs’ Nicole Martin and Maylen Mitrovich as the Week 9 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Volleyball Players of the Week, announced Monday. The awards come after a weekend of RMAC Power Pod play between conference opponents.

Offensive
Jenna McLaughlin, Colorado School of Mines (Sophomore, Middle Blocker, Zanesville, Ohio)
 McLaughlin proved to be a dominant force for the Orediggers, helping her team go 1-1 in RMAC Power Pod play against UCCS and Fort Lewis. She opened the week with a standout performance, tallying 14 kills on 28 swings for an impressive .357 hitting percentage and averaging 5.50 kills per set. McLaughlin followed that up with another stellar outing against Fort Lewis, notching 18 kills on a .459 clip and averaging 4.50 kills per set. For the week, the sophomore led the RMAC in total points with 39 (4.88 per set) and kills with 32 (4.00 per set), while ranking sixth in hitting percentage at .415.

Others Nominated: Olivia Lunt, Adams State; Randi Wellhoefer, Black Hills State; Mataya Ward, Chadron State; Henley Madsen, Colorado Mesa; Caelyn Gunn, CSU Pueblo; Brooke Gennerman, MSU Denver; Elise Fourt, New Mexico Highlands; Isabella Smith, Regis; Lexi Glendenning, South Dakota Mines; Payton Tompkins, UCCS; Mailei Myers, Westminster.

Defensive
Nicole Martin, UCCS (Junior, Middle Blocker, Colorado Springs, Colorado)
Martin continued her standout season for the Mountain Lions, leading her squad to an undefeated week with wins over Fort Lewis and Colorado School of Mines. The Colorado Springs native anchored UCCS’s defense, posting four blocks and two digs against the Skyhawks on Thursday, followed by a six-block, two-dig performance in Friday’s victory over the Orediggers. For the week, Martin ranked tied for second in the RMAC with 10 total blocks (1.43 per set) while adding 15 kills, four digs, and one ace to round out a strong all-around effort.

Others Nominated: Mercy Martinez, Adams State; Ellie Thomas, Black Hills State; Shelby Harding, Chadron State; Aesha Alrashed, Colorado Mesa; Jada Price, Colorado School of Mines; Finja Schul, CSU Pueblo; Alyssa Boyte, MSU Denver; Becca Wiersema, New Mexico Highlands; Krissy Brei, Regis; Hannah Benes, South Dakota Mines; Breegan Huntsman, Westminster.

Setter
Maylen Mitrovich, UCCS (Senior, Setter, Rock Hill, South Carolina)
 Mitrovich played a pivotal role in UCCS’s perfect week, guiding the Mountain Lions to victories over Fort Lewis (3-0) and Colorado School of Mines (3-1). The senior setter was everywhere on the court, dishing out 64 assists across the two matches. She opened the week with a season-high 32 assists, along with 14 digs and two kills in the sweep of the Skyhawks. Mitrovich then matched that mark the following day, tallying another 32 assists against the Orediggers while adding 11 digs, three kills, and two blocks to complete an all-around stellar performance.

Others Nominated: Elena Atkinson, Black Hills State; Cydnie Eskew, Chadron State; Ashlyn Tafoya, Colorado Mesa; Hailee Martinez, Colorado School of Mines; Elena Stankovic, CSU Pueblo; Karyna Werley, MSU Denver; Marissa Sandoval-Moya, New Mexico Highlands; Bailey Nichols, Regis; Hannah Joseph, South Dakota Mines; Atley Mitchell, Westminster.

About the RMAC
The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, headquartered in Colorado Springs, is a premier NCAA Division II conference with 15 institutions located in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Utah. The RMAC currently competes in 22 NCAA Division II sports and has earned 67 national championships and 53 national runners-up since 1992. Founded in 1909, the RMAC is the most historic athletic conference in the western United States and Division II.