Two Wayne State athletes were honored by the Northern Sun Conference among the weekly Player of the Week honors announced Monday.
For the third time this season, volleyball player Taya Bellar was named the conference’s Offensive Player of the Week after her play in weekend wins over Minot State and University of Mary.
The junior middle hitter averaged a league-high five kills per set and 5.5 points per set while posting a .600 hitting percentage in two matches. She had 16 kills and a .652 hitting percentage in Friday’s 3-0 sweep over Minot State and added 14 kills and four blocks with a .545 hitting percentage in a 3-0 sweep over Mary Saturday.
For the season, Beller ranks second in the NSIC in points per set (4.48), third in hitting percentage (.388) and blocks per set (1.10) and sixth in kills per set at 3.62.
In football, Tanner Cooper was named the NSIC Defensive Player of the Week after his play in Saturday’s 14-12 upset win over previously-undefeated No. 12 Augustana University.
The 6-foot, 200-pound senior had two interceptions for 111 return yards and one touchdown. His first interception was returned for a score, but was called back due to a penalty. His second penalty was a 64-yard interception return for a score. He also had a pass breakup and a tackle while collecting the team’s Egg Bowl MVP honor.
Cooper, who earned his first Player of the Week honor, is tied for the NSIC lead with three interceptions and has a league-high 157 return yards.
