TAMPA, Fla. – The Sun Conference announces the Player of the Week honorees for baseball, softball, women's lacrosse, men's and women's tennis, women's flag football, and men's and women's outdoor track & field.
All 14 awards are based on performances from April 1 - April 7.
Baseball Players of the Week
Baseball Player of the Week
Jhamante Woods, Keiser | Sr. - Infielder - Portland, Ore.
Woods was a huge part of Keiser's series victory at Warner this past weekend. The senior infielder hit a team-best .588 while driving a team-high eight runs in during the four-game series. He registered multiple hits in each of the four games and drove in at least run in every game of the series, including three in a the series clinching win on Saturday (11-6). Woods currently leads the conference in batting average (.418) as well as RBI (51). On the year, Woods has scored 35 runs and has produced 18 extra-base hits with an OPS of 1.223.
Baseball Pitcher of the Week
Blayne Huter, Webber Int'l | Jr. - Sebring, Fla.
Blayne Huter led the Warriors in the game one win against the St. Thomas Bobcats. Huter pitched 9 scoreless innings, striking out eight batters.
Softball Players of the Week
Softball Player of the Week
Raylei McKinney, Southeastern | Fr. - Outfielder - Brandon, Miss.
McKinney led the Fire to a three-game sweep over Warner with six hits, of which five were for extra bases. The freshman drove in five runs and swiped two bases. She was 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and two runs scored on Friday and was 3-for-4 with two doubles, three RBIs, and a run scored in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader. She also added an RBI double in the series finale.
Softball Pitcher of the Week
Edan Playa, Southeastern | Fr. - Miami, Fla.
Playa threw a complete game shutout with six strikeouts on Saturday against Warner to help the Fire move into a three-way tie for first place in The Sun Conference and record her team-leading 11th win of the season.
Women's Lacrosse Players of the Week
Defensive Player of the Week
Ashley Hammel, Life | So. - Goalkeeper - Gig Harbor, Wash.
Ashley ultimately brought Life U to overcome a 6-4 deficient at half to RV Ave Maria. In her second half appearance she made six saves to keep the Gyrenes scoreless the entire half bringing Life U to win 10-6.
Offensive Player of the Week
Hannah Shaffrey, Ave Maria | Jr. - Midfielder - Reisterstown, Md.
Shaffrey was a major player in Ave Maria's victory over No. 6 Keiser on Wednesday, scoring twice and assisting on four goals in a 16-13 victory. The junior then had an impact on three of Ave Maria's six goals against No. 8 Life, scoring two and assisting one.
Tennis Players of the Week
Men's Tennis Player of the Week
Soufiane El Mesbahi, Keiser | Sr. - Tangier, Morocco
In a rematch of the 2023 NAIA National Quarterfinal, Soufiane El Mesbahi led the Seahawks to a similar 4-3 result in favor of Keiser. After traveling nearly 2,500 miles, El Mesbahi and his doubles partner Didrik Liljekvist collected another ranked win on court one. El Mesbahi also moved up to fifth all-time in singles wins at Keiser with his third ranked win in singles this year.
Women's Tennis Player of the Week
Violet Apisah, Keiser | So. - Sydney, Australia
Violet Apisah helped the Seahawks pick up a road win in Irvine, California on Thursday. Apisah paired with her sister Patricia in doubles, earning a ranked win to begin the day. She followed it up with a win over No. 20 Ruiz Masip for her 54th career win.
Women's Flag Football Player of the Week
Defensive Player of the Week
Kaitlyn Herb, Thomas | Fr. - Rusher - Daytona Beach, Fla.
Herb was the catalyst to a defense that shut out three opponents this week. Herb consistently pressured the opposing QB, accumulating 7 sacks for 40 yards and 3 pass break-ups (deflections). Herb had 7 of her 12 tackles account for losses (all sacks).
Offensive Player of the Week
Alexa Wilson, Thomas | So. - Quarterback - Daytona Beach, Fla.
Wilson led the Night Hawks offense to three blowout victories over teams who entered the contest with at least a .500 record. Wilson completed 75.7% of her passes with over 100 attempts, in her three games played. Wilson passed for 16 TDs and accounted for over 800 yards of offense. The Night Hawks averaged over 47 ppg. Wilson had a passer efficiency rating of 178.9.
Outdoor Track & Field Athletes of the Week
Men's Outdoor Track Athlete of the Week
James Williamson III, Southeastern | Jr. - Lake City, Ga.
Williamson posted the top time in the NAIA in the 200 Meters and helped the Fire post the No. 2 time nationally in the 4x100 Relay with a 40.18 which he ran the first leg of.
Men's Outdoor Field Athlete of the Week
Kevin Parker, Southeastern | Fr. - Winter Haven, Fla.
The freshman hit the 'B' Standard in the Pole Vault at USF's South Florida Invitational.
Women's Outdoor Track Athlete of the Week
Oluwafikayomi Lawrence, Southeastern | Gr. - Sugar Land, Texas
Lawrence finished second in her heat out of Lane 2 with a tough headwind and posted a season-best 'A' Standard time of 56.10 which is eighth-fastest nationally.
Women's Outdoor Field Athlete of the Week
Yasmine Rodgers, Keiser | Fr. - Kemp, Texas
Rodgers continued her outstanding freshman year with a strong performance at the USF Bulls Invitational against top-tier competition.
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