Ashford University's Morgan Martells and California State-San Marcos' Ryan VanDenburg have earned top honors in the Association of Independent Institutions this week as Martells has been named Female Athlete of the Week, while VanDenburg has been named the Male Athlete of the Week for the week of Oct. 8-14.
Martells, a sophomore middle hitter from Sterling, Ill., put down 41 kills during four matches at the 2012 Big Guns Classic hosted by the University of St. Francis. She took 115 attack attempts while committing just 10 errors in helping the Saints to a 3-1 record which included a win over No. 21 Cornerstone University (Mich.). She also finished with 16 blocks and eight digs in the tournament.
VanDenburg, a junior from Huntington Beach, Calif., helped Cal State-San Marcos snap a five-match losing streak with a hat trick in a victory over Marymount College (Calif.). VanDenburg scored the Cougars' first three goals en route to a 5-1 victory. He hit from 25 yards out in the 5th minute of action and followed with a wide-open header off a corner kick in the 23rd. He finished his scoring on a penalty kick in the 49th minute.
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
Sept. 17, 2012
Winner: George Gauld, Jamestown College, Soccer
Sept. 24, 2012
Winner: Chein Hau-Tan, Ashford University, Golf
Oct. 1, 2012
Winner: Derek Elliott, Valley City State University, Football
Oct. 8, 2012
Winner: Derek Elliott, Valley City State University, Football
Oct. 15, 2012
Winner: Ryan VanDenburg, California State University-San Marcos, Soccer
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
Sept. 17, 2012
Winner: Danielle Tombolato, Ashford University, Volleyball
Sept. 24, 2012
Winner: Sarah Becker, Jamestown College, Volleyball
Oct. 1, 2012
Winner: Sarah Becker, Jamestown College, Volleyball
Oct. 8, 2012
Winner: Aleona Reyes, Jamestown College, Cross Country
Oct. 15, 2012
Winner: Morgan Martells, Ashford University, Volleyball
