Wingate's Van Heyst Named AVCA National Player of the Week

Rock Hill, S.C.----Wingate University sophomore setter/right-side hitter Maya Van Heyst has added a huge honor to her impressive sophomore season, earning National Player of the Week accolades from the AVCA. Van Heyst earns national Player of the Week accolades for the first time in her career. She is the first Bulldog to earn the honor since Shannon Kasprak in 2021.

Van Heyst led the Bulldogs to two more SAC wins as Wingate moved to 20-2 overall and 12-1 in league play, pushing the winning streak to 12 matches. The 'Dogs hit .500 to sweep past Newberry at home Tuesday night, then hit .339 in Friday night's 3-1 victory at Anderson.

Van Heyst put up incredible numbers on the week, which included notching her fourth triple-double of the season. She hit .677 on the week, needing only 31 swings to pick up 21 kills without an error, while also handing out 46 assists and picking up 17 digs, adding a block. Van Heyst averaged 6.57 assists, 3.00 kills and 2.43 digs per set. She had 18 assists, six digs and six kills in the Newberry sweep. Van Heyst had a huge match at Anderson, going for 15 kills, 28 assists and 11 digs while hitting .652 with 15 kills in just 23 swings without an error. 

Van Heyst leads the SAC in aces, ranking third in hitting percentage and fifth in assists per set. She ranks sixth in the nation with her four triple-doubles, while helping the 'Dogs rank fourth in the nation in hitting percentage, seventh in kills per set, ninth in assists per set and 11th in opponents' hitting percentage. The Bulldogs are ninth nationally in winning percentage.

Wingate is back in action Wednesday, hosting Limestone at 7 p.m.