Dakota State's Kristen DiPaola and Valley City State's Ken Eliacin have earned top honors in the Association of Independent Institutions this week as DiPaola has been named Female Athlete of the Week, while Eliacin has been named the Male Athlete of the Week for the week of Sept 2-9.

DiPaola, a 5-foot-10 senior outside hitter from Trinidad, Colo., was named to the Corn Palace Classic all-tournament team and led Dakota State to a 3-2 week with wins over Mount Marty (S.D.), Saint Mary (N.D.) and Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.). She finished the week with 105 kills, 55 digs, five assists and two digs. She just missed her own Dakota State kills record with 30 kills in a win over Mount Marty.

Eliacin, a 6-4, 240-pound tight end from Miami, Fla., had touchdown receptions of 67 and 52 yards and finished with four catches for 127 yards in a win over Mayville State.

A.I.I. Male Athletes of the Week

Sept. 2, 2012

Winner: Gus Ramasco, Jamestown College, Football

Sept. 9, 2012

Winner: Ken Eliacin, Valley City State University, Football

A.I.I. Female Athletes of the Week

Sept 2, 2012

Winner: Hollie Babut, Ashford University, Soccer

Sept. 9, 2012

Winner: Kristen DiPaola, Dakota State University, Volleyball