FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) has announced its Athletes of the Week for the period covering March 9-15. Each week throughout the academic year, the conference recognizes standout performances from student-athletes across its member institutions.
The MIAA Athlete of the Week honors are selected from nominations submitted by head coaches at each school. These awards spotlight the top individual efforts in competition and showcase the high level of play within the conference.
Selections are released every Monday at 4:00 p.m., with the exception of weeks impacted by federal holidays.
MIAA Baseball Pitcher of the Week - Noah Etnyre, Calvin University
Junior pitcher Noah Etnyre delivered a dominant performance on Thursday, tossing a seven-inning complete-game shutout at Clarkston. Etnyre allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out six batters, facing 24 hitters in the outing. His command and efficiency on the mound kept Clarkston off balance throughout the game, as he consistently limited scoring opportunities and controlled the pace to secure the shutout victory.
MIAA Baseball Position Player of the Week - Jack LaPorte, Albion College
Sophomore outfielder Jack LaPorte turned in stellar performances during the week on the road against Gwynedd Mercy and Franklin. In 21 at bats, LaPorte recorded 13 hits, nine runs, four RBIs, a home run, three walks, and four stolen bases. He finished the week with a .619 batting average, a .762 slugging percentage, and a .667 on-base percentage. LaPorte was also flawless defensively, recording five putouts in the field for the Brits.
MIAA Men's Lacrosse Offensive Athlete of the Week - Gibson Heethuis, Hope College
Junior attacker Gibson Heethuis delivered a standout week in helping the Flying Dutchmen to a 13–2 win over Illinois Tech and a 12–11 overtime victory at Elmhurst. Heethuis totaled eight assists and four goals across the two games, including the overtime game-winner against Elmhurst. He also contributed defensively with a caused turnover on the ride and collected eight ground balls. Heethuis currently leads the conference with 3.0 assists per game and 5.83 points per game, and ranks second in the league with 2.83 goals per contest.
MIAA Men's Lacrosse Defensive Athlete of the Week - Danny Kelly, Trine University
Senior defender Danny Kelly delivered one of the most dominant weeks in Trine program history in wins over Cornell and Edgewood. Kelly was a force across the field, totaling seven ground balls and seven caused turnovers against Cornell—just one shy of the program's single-game record. His defensive pressure helped hold Cornell to under 50 percent on clears, allowing Trine's offense to create separation. On Senior Day against Edgewood, Kelly remained just as impactful, adding four caused turnovers and four ground balls while helping limit Edgewood to a 55 percent clearing rate. Kelly currently ranks second in the conference with 3.13 caused turnovers per game and third with 38 ground balls.
MIAA Men's Lacrosse Specialist of the Week - Jackson Vasquez, Hope College
Freshman midfielder Jackson Vasquez delivered strong two-way performances in Hope's 13–2 win over Illinois Tech and 12–11 victory at Elmhurst. Across the two games, Vasquez totaled five ground balls and three caused turnovers while playing a key role defensively and on faceoff wings. Offensively, he scored a hat trick against Elmhurst, including the go-ahead goal. His versatility showed throughout the weekend as he contributed on defense, helped take faceoffs, and supported possession battles off the wing.
MIAA Women's Lacrosse Offensive Athlete of the Week - Sydney Weiss, Trine University
Junior attacker Sydney Weiss delivered an outstanding performance in Trine's 13–11 win over Wisconsin–Stout, recording a career day on the field. She scored five goals on just six shots, demonstrating remarkable efficiency and precision every time she attacked. Weiss' offensive explosion played a pivotal role in the victory, as her five-goal effort helped power the Thunder to the best start in program history. Her ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities and lead the offense set the tone for the team and marked a memorable milestone for both Weiss and the Trine program.
MIAA Women's Lacrosse Defensive Athlete of the Week - Abby Malone, Adrian College
Sophomore midfielder Abby Malone led the Bulldogs defensively in their contest against Otterbein, helping Adrian rally from a 5–11 deficit to force overtime at 13–13. Malone recorded six ground balls and a caused turnover while also contributing a goal and an assist. She currently ranks third in the conference with 3.80 ground balls per game.
MIAA Women's Lacrosse Specialist of the Week - Kelsey Yanagihara, Trine University
Sophomore goalie Kelsey Yanagihara delivered an outstanding performance in net, recording 13 saves to anchor a strong defensive effort in Trine's hard-fought 13–11 victory over Wisconsin–Stout. Playing all 60 minutes, she remained composed throughout the contest and made several key stops to keep Trine in control. Yanagihara's performance included a crucial save in the final 60 seconds that helped seal the win. Her presence and timely shot-stopping were instrumental in protecting the lead and securing the victory. She currently ranks among the MIAA's top three with a 5.67 goals-against average and a .528 save percentage.
MIAA Softball Pitcher of the Week - Brooke Hunderman, Calvin University
Senior pitcher Brooke Hunderman helped lead the Knights to an 8–4 record on their spring trip, making seven appearances with five starts and posting a 4–2 record. She recorded three shutouts against Westminster, Roger Williams, and Alfred, including a no-hitter versus Westminster. Across 38 innings, Hunderman struck out 36 batters and allowed just six earned runs for a 1.11 ERA. She also earned a win in relief during an extra-inning victory over Wisconsin–Stout. Hunderman currently leads the MIAA with five complete games, three shutouts, and 40.1 innings pitched, and ranks among the league's top three with a 1.39 ERA, four wins, 38 strikeouts, and 15 strikeouts looking.
MIAA Softball Position Player of the Week - Taylor Gerhardt, Adrian College
Junior outfielder Taylor Gerhardt helped lead the Bulldogs to a 5–3 week, anchoring Adrian's offense and defense against top regional opponents. Gerhardt went 24-for-35 at the plate with eight stolen bases, two doubles, two home runs, and five RBIs. She currently leads the MIAA with 69 at-bats, 30 runs, 40 hits, 54 total bases, a .618 on-base percentage, and 24 stolen bases.
MIAA Men's Tennis Athlete of the Week - Connor Schultz, Albion College
Freshman Connor Schultz went 7–1 during spring break competition in Florida, playing at No. 5 singles and No. 1 doubles. His only loss came in a 4–6 doubles match against Emerson to open the week, but he bounced back with a 6–3, 6–2 singles win over the same team. Schultz continued his strong play with a 7–5 doubles victory and a 6–4, 6–4 singles win against Loras. He followed with another 7–5 doubles win and a 6–0, 7–6 (7–2) singles triumph versus Northwestern–St. Paul. Schultz closed the week with a 6–1 doubles win and a 6–1, 6–2 singles victory against Marymount, capping an impressive spring break performance for the freshman.
MIAA Women's Tennis Athlete of the Week - Evelyn Demblans-Dechans, Saint Mary's College
Senior Evelyn Demblans-Dechans posted a 6–2 record on the week for the Belles. She went 4–1 at No. 2 doubles with partners Sophia Pischalko and Emma Kealy, earning wins over Sweet Briar, Dickinson, Wheaton, and Minnesota Morris. In No. 4 singles play, Demblans-Dechans recorded a key 6–0, 6–3 victory over Wheaton and also secured Saint Mary's only singles win against Ohio Northern. She additionally contributed a 6–2 doubles victory in the Belles' 4–3 team win over Wheaton.