INDIANAPOLIS--The Great Midwest Athletes of the week for September 26, 2022 are based on student-athlete performance from September 19, 2022-September 25, 2022.
 
Football
Defense: Kyle Kudla / Hillsdale College / Sr. / Linebacker / Avon, OH
Kyle Kudla helped the Hillsdale Chargers hold Missouri S&T to only 10 points in their third win of the season. Kudla recorded a team-high nine tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. The senior had a critical fourth quarter sack to secure the Charger victory. He ranks second in the conference in total sacks at 38 and fourth in tackles for loss at six on the year.
 
Offense: Isaac TeSlaa / Hillsdale College / So. / Wide Receiver / Hudsonville, MI
For the second time this season, Isaac TeSlaa has been named the Great Midwest Football offensive athlete of the week. TeSlaa caught eight passes for 177 yards and accounted for both of Hillsdale’s touchdowns. At the national level, TeSlaa leads all of Division II in receiving touchdowns at eight on the year and ranks fifth in receiving yards at 572.
 
Special Teams: A.J. Rhodes/ Ashland University / Fr. / Kicker / Wooster, OH
The freshman helped the Eagles remain undefeated as he accounted for 10 points in a 34-14 victory over Quincy. Rhodes was four-for-four on extra points and two-for-two from field goal range.
 
Men’s Golf
 Tanner Grzegorczyk / University of Findlay / Gr. / Glenshaw, PA
Tanner Grzegorczyk has been named the Great Midwest Athlete of the week for golf for the second time this season. He helped the Oilers earn runner-up status at the Doc Spragg Invitational. The graduate student tied for fourth overall with scores of 71,71, and 66.
 
Women’s Golf
Sydney Hugo / Walsh University / Fr. / Chonburi Pattaya, Thailand
In her college debut, Freshman Sydney Hugo tied for second at the Laker-Bulldog Fall Invite. Hugo recorded rounds of 74 and 73 to help the Cavaliers place sixth out of 15 teams.
 
Men’s Soccer
Defense: Robert Gjelaj / Northwood University / Goalkeeper / Sr. / Bruce Township, MI
Robert Gjelaj helped the Timberwolves go 1-1 over the weekend with a win over Trevecca. He tallied 12 saves on 23 shots at a .923 save percentage. Gjelaj leads the Great Midwest in saves at 52 and saves per game at 5.2.
 
Offense: Mohamed Sheik/ Ohio Dominican University / Midfield / Jr.  / Columbus, OH
The midfielder recorded his first-career hat trick in an upset over #11 Walsh University. Sheik scored three goals on three shots to help the Panthers improve to 3-0-2 in the G-MAC.
 
Women’s Soccer
Defense: Delayna Holman / Trevecca Nazarene University/ Goalkeeper / Gr. /Shepherdsville, KY
Delayna Holman was named the Defensive Athlete of the Week after a historic weekend for the fifth-year. She set the Trevecca career shutout record at 23 career shutouts. Holman tabbed 12 saves total with five in a win over Kentucky Wesleyan and seven in a draw against Northwood. This season, she has only allowed eight goals with a .89 goals against average. She leads the conference in shutouts at four on the year.
 
Offense: Ellie Tischler/University of Findlay / Midfield / Jr. / Lebanon, OH
Ellie Tischler scored three goals for Oilers over the weekend. She scored back-to-back goals in a 3-2 win over Tiffin and one goal in a 3-2 loss to Northwood.
 
Men’s Tennis
Ruben Fonga / Tiffin University / Singles / Gr. / Nantes, France
Fonga won four consecutive matches to reach the finals at the ITA regionals. He defeated opponents from Lewis, Southwest Baptist, UIndy, and Drury in the best performance in program history. Fonga will be in consideration for an ITA National Championship at-large bid.
 
Volleyball
North Division
Defense: Alana Pohlman / University of Findlay / Middle Hitter / Fr. / Maria Stein, OH
The Freshman posted a strong defensive effort as Findlay extended their win-streak to seven. Pohlman recorded 13 blockes at 1.3 per set. She also added 27 kills at a .382 hitting percentage.

Offense: Journey Blevins / University of Findlay / Outside Hitter / So. / Richwood, OH
Journey Blevins has been named the Offensive Player of the Week for the North Division for the third consecutive week. She posted an impressive 44 kills, six blocks, and 19 digs in wins over Trevecca and Kentucky Wesleyan. Blevins leads the G-MAC in kills per set at 4.67 and ranks seventh nationally. At 210 kills on the year, Blevins is also tied for 12^th in Division II in total kills.
 
South Division
Defense: Katie Thompson /Ashland University / Libero / Jr. / Independence, OH
Katie Thompson earns Athlete of the Week honors for the second time this season. She registered 50 digs, two kills, four assists, and three service aces as Ashland improved to 12-5 over the weekend and 7-0 in conference play. Thompson sits at second in the Great Midwest in digs at 297 and 5.21 per set.
 
Offense: Makenna Belcher / Ashland University / Outside Hitter / So. / Marengo, OH
Makenna Belcher has been named the South Division’s offensive athlete of the week for the second consecutive week. Belcher tallied 36 kills with a .350 hitting %. She also dished out two assists, six services aces, and added 25 digs. At 29 on the year, Belcher ranks third in the conference in service aces and fifth in points at 3.69 per set.