ELMHURST, IL -- South Dakota's Kendall Kritenbrink and South Dakota State's Shay Birath were named The Summit League's Offensive and Defensive Volleyball Players of the Week for their performances Sept. 10-16.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Kendall Kritenbrink, South Dakota
So. // OH // Gretna, Neb.
Kritenbrink collects her second career Offensive Player of the Week honor and first of the season after recording a .308 clip and averaging 5.62 kills per set to open league play.  The sophomore outside hitter led the Coyotes to a 3-1 victory over Western Illinois in USD's league opener with a .325 hitting percentage and 18 kills.  Against IUPUI, she posted a double-double with 27 kills and 12 digs.  For the week, Kritenbrink tallied a .308 hitting percentage with 45 kills, averaging 5.62 kills per set, 18 digs, six blocks, an assist, a service ace and 50 points (6.2 per set).

Also nominated: Kendall Wienkes, Fort Wayne; Kelsey Hoefer, IUPUI; Emily Lucas, Kansas City; Brynn Joki, North Dakota State; Meghan Bray, Oakland; Kaitlin Klingemann, South Dakota State; Sarah Fetter, Western Illinois.

Previous winners: Aug. 27 – Kelli Fiegen, SDSU; Sept. 4 – Meghan Bray, OU; Sept. 10 – Kaitlin Klingemann, SDSU.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Shay Birath, South Dakota State
Sr. // L // Marshall, Minn.
Birath earns her fifth career Defensive Player of the Week award and first of the season after helping the Jackrabbits go undefeated (2-0) with back-to-back 20-plus dig performances to open league play.  The senior libero collected 20 digs in the sweep of Omaha.  She then came back to tally 27 digs in a four-set victory over preseason favorite and 2011 league champion, North Dakota State.  On the week, Birath recorded 47 digs, averaging 6.71 per set and eight assists.

Also nominated: Kendall Wienkes, Fort Wayne; Beth Howard, IUPUI; Taryn Miller, Kansas City; Alli Kirk, Oakland; Kim Bulaga, South Dakota; Bridget Murphy, Western Illinois.

Previous winners: Aug. 27 – Tessa McGill, IPFW; Sept. 4 – Kelli Fiegen, SDSU; Sept. 10 – Alli Kirk, OU.

Courtesy:  The Summit League

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