BLOOMINGTON, Minn. - A successful weekend for the Bethel University volleyball and women's soccer teams carried over into Monday where three student-athletes received Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Athlete of the Week honors. Junior
Maria Claflin was named the MIAC Volleyball Hitter of the Week while senior
Dominique Dabu was named Volleyball Setter/Libero of the Week. Sophomore
Rachel Waterman was named the Women's Soccer Athlete of the Week.
The MIAC Athlete of the Week awards are nominated by the Conference's sports information directors and selected by MIAC staff. Throughout the fall season, team sports (football, soccer, and volleyball) Athletes of the Week will be recognized on Monday afternoons, with individual sports (cross country and golf) announced on Tuesday afternoons. The winners of the latest Athlete of the Week awards are listed below, along with details on their outstanding performances.
MIAC Volleyball Hitter of the Week
Maria Claflin
Bethel University
Jr. | Middle Blocker
Dayton, Minn. | Champlin Park
Maria Claflin was once again at the forefront of the Bethel offense last week, averaging 3.5 kills per set while hitting .281 in four matches for the Royals. The MIAC leader in kills this season, Claflin put down double-digit kill efforts in three matches, including a match- and career-high 21 kills in a five-set win over Wartburg at the Central Invitational. Claflin hit .325 against No. 8-ranked Saint Benedict before helping the Royals snap a three-match skid with a .417 showing against Wis.-River Falls on Friday.
MIAC Volleyball Setter/Libero of the Week
Dominique Dabu
Bethel University
Sr. | Defensive Specialist
Apple Valley, Minn.
Dominique Dabu tallied 114 total digs in five matches for Bethel last week, averaging an impressive six digs per set. Dabu's career-high 41 digs pushed No. 8-ranked Saint Benedict to five sets last Wednesday and helped hold the Bennies to .50 points below their season average for hitting percentage. Dabu then posted 26 digs against Wis.-River Falls and 27 more against Wartburg on Friday to help propel the Royals to a perfect 4-0 weekend at the Central Invitational.
MIAC Women's Soccer Athlete of the Week
Rachel Waterman
Bethel University
So. | Center-Midfielder
Burnsville, Minn.
Rachel Waterman helped keep Bethel undefeated with her play in victories over a pair of MIAC foes last week. The sophomore scored on her only shot on goal to hand Carleton its lone loss of the season last Tuesday before putting together a six-point effort in a 5-2 win against Concordia on Saturday. Waterman scored two goals in the opening 14:30 against the Cobbers and assisted on the game-winning goal just 48 seconds later.
