MIAC RELEASE

ARDEN HILLS, MINN.—Bethel University forward Elly Schmitz was named December 22 MIAC Women's Basketball Defensive Player of the Week. This marks Schmitz' fifth career MIAC weekly honor as she also earned the distinction on February 24, 2025, January 27, 2025, January 20, 2025, and December 11, 2023.

December 22 MIAC Women's Basketball Athletes of the Week
Offensive: Ella Peters (Gustavus)
Defensive: Elly Schmitz (Bethel)

The graduate student accumulated 19 points per game on 11-of 25 (.444) shooting and 14-of-18 (.778) from the free throw line, nine rebounds per game, five steals, three blocks, and four assists in a week that included a 63-57 win over UW-La Crosse, and an 88-84 2OT decision over Coe at the Just A Game Division III Invitational in Wisconsin Dells on December 22-23.

The Hermantown, Minnesota native was all over the stat sheet against UW-La Crosse with 15 points on 9-of-10 (.900) from the free throw line, nine rebounds, four steals, two blocks, and three assists. Schmitz concluded the week with 23 points on 8-of-16 (.500) shooting and nine rebounds against Coe.

Through seven games played, Schmitz leads the Royals with 17.7 points per game on 43-of-91 (.473) shooting and 11-of-26 (.423) from the three-point line, 8.1 rebounds per game, and 11 blocks in 2025-26.

Bethel will face Illinois Wesleyan in Kissimmee, Florida on Monday, December 29 at 12 p.m. (ET).