BLOOMINGTON, Minn.—Bethel University middle blocker Kristin Stern was honored with MIAC Volleyball Hitter-of-the-Week accolades Tuesday afternoon after a sensational performance at the Bethel Invitational last weekend. Stern was named the MVP of the 8-player All-Tournament team after leading the 12th ranked-Royals to a 4-0 weekend. Following opening-weekend play, Stern leads the MIAC with 77 kills, 5.13 kills/set, a .464 hitting percentage, 85 points, and 5.7 points/set. The junior posted 77 kills and just 12 errors on 140 attempts.

She opened the 2016 campaign with a near-perfect match against Nebraska Wesleyan, tallying 23 kills on 36 attempts, with only a single error, hitting a blistering .611. She followed that up with 17 kills against Willamette, 18 kills against Wartburg, and 19 kills against Wheaton. Her lowest hitting percentage throughout the four matches was .325 against Wartburg. In addition to her exceptional offense, Stern finished with 14 blocks—two solo and 12 assisted—and five digs. 

Stern and the Royals are back in action Wednesday night, when they play host to the University of Minnesota-Morris in the Robertson Center Gym at 7 p.m. Bethel then travels to Stevens Point, Wisconsin for a quartet of nonconference matches.