NAPERVILLE – Illinois Wesleyan’s Taylor French and North Central’s Maddi Barickman have repeated as College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Women’s Volleyball Student-Athletes of Week, according to a Monday announcement. Additionally, NCC’s Lauren Benson claimed the league’s weekly defensive honor.
 
Hitter: Taylor French, Illinois Wesleyan
French earned her second consecutive CCIW Hitter of the Week award after averaging 4.08 kills per set in the Titans’ home matches against Mount Saint Joseph, Concordia Wisconsin and 15th-ranked Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The Romeoville, Ill. native had double-doubles in all three bouts and tallied 22 kills and three service aces for IWU in its five-set win over the nationally ranked Pointers on Saturday.
 
Setter: Maddi Barickman, North Central
Barickman is another repeat CCIW Student-Athlete of the Week selection after averaging 11.38 assists over eight sets, helping the Cardinals sweep non-conference matches from Greenville, Monmouth and Nebraska Wesleyan. She added 2.88 digs and 1.50 blocks per set and was selected for the All-Tournament Team at the NCC Invitational in Naperville.
 
Defensive: Lauren Benson, North Central
Benson, a freshman from Geneva, Ill., had 14 total blocks at the net for the Cardinals in their three wins last week. She joined teammate Barickman on the NCC Invitational All-Tournament Team last Saturday and finished the week with 2.25 kills and 1.75 blocks per set.

2023 CCIW Women's Volleyball Student-Athletes of the Week
Hitter
Sept. 11: Taylor French, Illinois Wesleyan
Sept. 5: Taylor French, Illinois Wesleyan

Setter
Sept. 11: Maddi Barickman, North Central
Sept. 5: Maddi Barickman, North Central

Defensive
Sept. 11: Lauren Benson, North Central
Sept. 5: Aleesa Zebold, North Central