Two Wildcats earned NSIC Player of the Week honors on Monday, after WSC’s 8th ranked volleyball team won both games over the weekend.

Alyssa Frauendorfer was named the NSIC offensive Player of the Week after averaging over five kills per set and hitting for a .573 attack percentage. Teammate Michaela Mestl was named the defensive player of the week, averaging 5.89 digs per set and just over two kills per set.

“I think it’s a really big deal,” Head Coach Scott Kneifl said. “We were on the road in two tough games, and we needed players to step up, and both of those two stepped up. Alyssa stepped up offensively and Michaela stepped up defensively. They are very deserving. But I’m sure they would be first to tell you that without their teammates, they wouldn’t be receiving any honors.”

The Wildcats started the weekend in Crookston, Minn. facing off against Minnesota Crookston Friday.

The ‘Cats had a combined 30 kills from Frauendorfer and Erin Gross in the match. WSC opened the first set in control, recording 13 kills while forcing UMC into eight attack errors. The Wildcats won the set handily, 25-15.

During the second set, the roles were reversed as the UMC Golden Eagles forced six Wildcat attack errors. UMC evened the match at one set apiece with the 25-20 win.
The ‘Cats came out in the fourth set ready to roll, scoring 17 kills in the set. WSC took advantage and won the set 25-13.

WSC got down early and stayed behind for much of the set. After overcoming an early five point deficit, WSC rallied and managed to score four straight points, taking a 23-21 lead. After trading a few points, the ‘Cats closed out the match on a Frauendorfer kill, 25-23.

WSC needed a career high 30 kills from Frauendorfer to overcome a tough Bemidji State team, 3-2.

“Our sport is funny,” Kneifl said. “It is the only sport that you start back over at zero. We always tell the girls that the ball doesn’t know that we are the better team, so you have to prove to the ball that you are the better team.”

The first set was close, featuring 15 ties and eight lead changes. Bemidji State finished out the set with a 25-22 win.

“It is always good to play in those close games,” Kneifl said. “In volleyball, it is going to be close at some point in time. It’s going to be tied at 10-10, 15-15 or even 20-20, but you have to figure out ways to win. We are lucky. For the most part we have been winning (close) games.”

The second set saw the ‘Cat defense step up, forcing eight attack errors and allowing just three kills. WSC took the second set 25-7.

The Beavers took the momentum back in the third set, winning 25-22.

During the fourth set, Bemidji State had eight attack errors. WSC won the fourth set 25-17 forcing a fifth set to take the match.

During the fifth set, the ‘Cats did not make an attack error and took the set 15-10 to win the match.

“Volleyball is a team sport,” Kneifl said. “You have to rely on your teammates; you can’t do it by yourself.”

WSC is now 19-6 (10-6 in NSIC) and will again be on the road this weekend, facing Minot State on Friday and University of Mary on Saturday.

“These teams in our league, even the teams that aren’t ranked in the country, they are still quality volleyball teams. Especially on the road. Bemidji played hard, and it took a really good effort out of our team to come out of there with a win,” Kneifl said. “We’ve had a good run so far, and now we want to finish off the regular season on a good note and carry some momentum into the conference tournament.”