ST. LOUIS – Gabi Jakubowska and Fernanda Perini were selected for the first Heart of America Athletic Conference Attacker & Defender of the Week awards of the season on Monday. The duo fueled the Missouri Baptist University women's volleyball team to a 5-1 opening week, including wins over No. 3 Corban University, No. 9 St. Thomas University, and No. 16 Viterbo University.
Attacker of the Week
Outside hitter Gabi Jakubowska was named Attacker of the Week after finishing the week with 95 kills (5.00 per set) while hitting .276 over four matches to lead the Spartans' attack. She reached double figures in every match, highlighted by a match-high 29 kills and 37 receptions in Missouri Baptist's five-set victory over No. 16 Viterbo on Aug. 20.
Later that same day, Jakubowska added
26 kills and 19 digs in another five-set win against No. 9 St. Thomas, notching her second straight 20-kill performance while hitting over .240.
The senior continued her consistency against No. 20 Midland and No. 3 Corban on Aug. 22, collecting
19 kills on .368 hitting against Midland before recording 21 kills, 15 receptions, and 9 digs in a five-set victory over Corban.
For the week, Jakubowska added
41 digs (2.16 per set), 15 blocks, and 11 service aces. She also posted a .967 serve-receive percentage across 92 total attempts.
Defender of the Week
Middle blocker Fernanda Perini turned in a highly efficient week at the net, notching 24 total blocks (1.20 per set) to anchor the Spartan front line. She also added 34 kills (1.70 per set) while hitting an impressive .361 over six matches.
The sophomore's top performance came in a five-set win over No. 3 Corban on Aug. 22, when she delivered
11 blocks. On Aug. 20, she helped the Spartans to a pair of wins with eight total blocks and 18 kills.
The efficiency carried into the weekend sweeps, where she hit .600 with three kills in a win over Wilberforce and added two more kills in a three-set road win at Harris-Stowe.
Next Game
The Spartans continue their season in the Amber McClure Fayerweather Tournament on Friday, Aug. 29. Their first game against Indiana Tech on the campus of Taylor University is set for 10 a.m. (CT).
