Mihacevich, Bertucci Earn MAC West Player of the Week Awards

Posted By: Peyton
September 13, 2022 @ 2:52 pm
NIU Sports

Ella Mihacevich (Brunswick, Ohio/Padua Franciscan) and Francesca Bertucci (Chicago, Ill./De La Salle) were awarded Player of the Week honors after the Northern Illinois University volleyball team (5-3, 0-0 MAC) won this past weekend’s KC Roos Classic, the conference office announced Monday.

The Huskies dismantled both Kansas City and Wichita State in straight sets to win the tournament, which was hosted by Kansas City.

Mihacevich, who landed a spot on the All-Tournament Team, posted 72 set assists (12/set) through the weekend’s two wins which aided her in winning the MAC West Setter of the Week award. Versus UMKC, the starting setter assisted her teammates 41 times and added eight digs to help NIU cruise past the Roos in three sets. Mihacevich kept her momentum going the following day when she logged a double-double (31 set assists and 11 digs) in the 3-0 Wichita State win.

Bertucci led NIU on the defensive side of the net with 20 digs against UMKC and 12 versus Wichita State to win the MAC West Defensive Player of the Week award. The Libero averaged an astounding 5.33 digs-per-set to pace all players in both matches. Her defensive efficiency also earned her a spot on the All-Tournament Team, her third of the season.

The Huskies return home to Victor E. Court this weekend when they face Rhode Island on Friday and Southern Indiana on Saturday. The URI match will be streamed live on ESPN3 at 6 p.m. while the USI match will be streamed to NIUTube at 11 a.m.

Fans who present an NIU versus Vanderbilt football ticket at the gate will be given free admittance to the Southern Indiana match on Saturday.

Season Tickets start at $30 in the general admission. A Huskie Four-Pack is available at $22.50 per ticket, with a minimum of four season tickets purchased. New for the 2022 season is the addition of 20 courtside seats on the south side of Victor E. Court. For $180, which includes a season ticket and Premium Seat License, Huskie fans will have a chance to experience NIU Volleyball like never before for less than $13 per match. All orders have a $5 handling fee. To purchase, click on the following link.