Massive News As USD’s Medeck Earns Summit League Offensive Honors

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – South Dakota’s Lauren Medeck, an outside hitter, and Denver’s Molly Mirabelli, a middle blocker, have been recognized as the Summit League Volleyball Peak Performers of the Week, as announced by league officials on Tuesday.

Medeck, who received the offensive award, was named MVP of the USD Classic after achieving 49 kills, nine total blocks, and recording two double-doubles while helping the Coyotes secure a 3-0 record in their home tournament. The freshman from Papillion, Neb. hit .266 overall and notched her first double-double of the season with a season-high 20 kills and 18 digs in a win over Montana State. She then had 16 kills and six digs against Iowa State, hitting at a .310 percentage. In the Coyotes’ final match against UTEP, she achieved her second double-double of the tournament with 13 kills and 10 digs.

Mirabelli earned the defensive accolade after tallying 20 blocks across three matches during a 2-1 week for the Pioneers. Hailing from Traverse City, Mich., she currently ranks third in Division I with 44 total blocks this season. Last week, she averaged 1.81 blocks per set, and her overall average of 1.52 blocks per set places her 17th among Division I players. In her first match against Air Force, she recorded 12 kills and seven blocks while hitting .611. In the subsequent matchup, she improved her stats with another 12 kills, eight blocks, and a .667 hitting percentage. She concluded the weekend against Northern Colorado with seven kills and five blocks in a four-set loss.

OFFENSIVE PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Lauren Medeck, South Dakota
Fr. | OH | Papillion, Neb.

• Achieved two double-doubles, totaling 49 kills and 34 digs in a 3-0 week for the Coyotes.
• Recorded 20 kills and 18 digs in a five-set victory over Montana State.
• Finished with 16 kills and six digs at a .310 average in a 3-1 win over Iowa State, and added 13 kills and 10 digs in another 3-1 win against UTEP.
• This marks her first career weekly offensive award.

DEFENSIVE PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Molly Mirabelli, Denver
GR. | MB | Traverse City, Mich.

• Averaged 1.81 blocks per set during a 2-1 week for the Pioneers.
• Accumulated 20 total blocks and 31 kills.
• Contributed eight blocks and 12 kills in the first match against Air Force, and recorded 12 kills with eight blocks in a second win against the Falcons.
• This is her first career weekly defensive award.

2024 Volleyball Players of the Week
September 3
O: Sylvie Zgonc, South Dakota State
D: Jarolin de los Santos Lugo, North Dakota

September 10
O: Lauren Galvin, St. Thomas
D: Ella Voegele, St. Thomas

September 17
O: Lauren Medeck, South Dakota
D: Molly Mirabelli, Denver