By: Nash Loibl, Advanced Graduate Assistant / Strategic Communications

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference has announced its Week 4 RMAC Volleyball Players of the Week, with Colorado State University’s Caelyn Gunn, University of Colorado Colorado Springs’ Nicole Martin, and Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Karyna Werley taking home the latest honors.

Offensive
Caelyn Gunn, CSU Pueblo (Senior, Outside Hitter, Denton, Texas)
Gunn delivered back-to-back strong performances for the CSU Pueblo ThunderWolves, helping her team secure a perfect 2-0 week with wins over South Dakota Mines and Black Hills State. In a thrilling five-set comeback against the Hardrockers, the senior outside hitter racked up a dominant 20 kills and 13 digs, recording a clutch double-double that fueled the ThunderWolves' rally. She followed that up with another strong showing against the Yellow Jackets, posting 15 kills on 32 swings for an efficient .375 hitting percentage. Gunn averaged an impressive 5.33 points per set in the second match, propelling CSU Pueblo to a sweep and into a tie for first place in the RMAC standings.

Others Nominated: Katie Bauer, Adams State; Emily Freeland, Black Hills State; Mataya Ward, Chadron State; Renee Phillips, Colorado Christian; Sadie Scoville, Colorado Mesa; Jenna McLaughlin, Colorado School of Mines; Cambria Freymouth, Fort Lewis; Karyna Werley, MSU Denver; Isabella Smith, Regis; Lexi Glendenning, South Dakota Mines; Payton Tompkins, UCCS.

Defensive
Nicole Martin, UCCS (Junior, Middle Blocker, Colorado Springs, Colorado)
Martin was a standout performer for the Mountain Lions, playing a pivotal role in back-to-back road victories over Colorado Mesa and Westminster. The week began with a trip west to face the Griffins, where Martin contributed three digs and two blocks, totaling six points in the straight-set win. She followed that up with a dominant defensive showing the next day, tallying eight of UCCS’ 13 team blocks against the nationally ranked Mavericks. Her eight block assists not only marked a personal career high, but also set the individual season high for UCCS. Powered by her exceptional play at the net, the Mountain Lions took down the No. 24 team in Division II.

Others Nominated: Ashlyn Jones, Adams State; Peyton McLeod, Black Hills State; Kristina House, Colorado Christian; Allison Waller, Colorado Mesa; Jenna McLaughlin, Colorado School of Mines; Megan Mattingly, CSU Pueblo; Alyx Daugherty, Fort Lewis; Alyssa Boyte, MSU Denver; Braiziah Dixon, Regis; Hannah Benes, South Dakota Mines.

Setter
Karyna Werley, MSU Denver (Freshman, Setter, Albuquerque, New Mexico)
Werley made a major statement over the weekend, starring in a pair of matches that saw MSU Denver go 1-1 against Colorado Mesa and Westminster. Facing off against the nationally ranked Mavericks, the freshman delivered a standout performance with 22 assists, 11 kills, and 10 digs, earning the third triple-double recorded in the RMAC this season. Werley continued her momentum the following match, powering the Roadrunners to a 3-1 victory over Westminster with 18 kills, 15 assists, and five digs. Across the two matches, she totaled an impressive 37 assists, 29 kills, and 15 digs

Others Nominated: Sydnie Tuioti-Mariner, Black Hills State; Jillian Donovan, Chadron State; Krista Traynor, Colorado Christian; Ashlyn Tafoya, Colorado Mesa; Hailee Martinez, Colorado School of Mines; Elena Stankovic, CSU Pueblo; Arianna Reyna, Fort Lewis; Bailey Nichols, Regis; Hannah Joseph, South Dakota Mines; Maylen Mitrovich, UCCS.

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.