By: Jeff Evans, Assistant AD for Athletic Communications
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Four Western Washington University student-athletes earned GNAC weekly awards for their standout performance in competition held February 23-March 1.
Rex Wilson, Men's Golf:
Junior
Rex Wilson earned his first GNAC Golfer of the Week award after putting together a winning performance at the Visit Stockton DII Invitational. Wilson posted a tournament score of 2-under-par 139 (72-67), with his final round 5-under-par 67 vaulting him up the leaderboard into the top spot. The big move in the final round came by way of a 4-under-par 32 on the back nine with an eagle and a pair of birdies. Wilson ranks tied for 3rd in the GNAC this season with a scoring average of 72.0. WWU placed 2nd out of a deep 21-team field at The Reserve at Spanos Park venue that will host the NCAA II West/South Central Super Regional in May.
"Rex capped off an outstanding week with a brilliant finish at the Visit Stockton Invite," said WWU head coach
Luke Bennett. "He delivered a sensational final-round 67, showcasing confident ball-striking and clutch putting when it mattered most. His strong performance under pressure set the tone for the team's closing surge. It was a statement round in a championship-winning effort."
Olivia Hodges, Women's Basketball:
Senior
Olivia Hodges earned her third GNAC Player of the Week award this season, putting together an impressive stat line in WWU's victories over Seattle Pacific (72-43) and Montana State Billings (78-55) to clinch the GNAC regular-season title. Hodges averaged 18.5 points, 17.0 rebounds and 3.5 blocked shots per game, while shooting 60.9-percent from the field (14-for-23) in the two games. She opened with a 21-point, 12-rebound double-double against SPU and followed that big game with a 16-point, 22-rebound double-double vs. MSUB. Hodges has tied the WWU single-season record with 21 double-doubles (six straight), taking over the national lead, and is tops in NCAA II averaging 13.0 rebounds per game.
"Olivia had another incredible week for us. She is relentless on the boards every possession," said WWU head coach
Carmen Dolfo. "She was great on the block for us, stepping up consistently whenever we needed a basket. She also did a great job on the defensive end. She pours her heart into this team – she is a great teammate and is wonderful to coach."
Olivia Matlock – Softball (Position Player):
Senior first baseman
Olivia Matlock earned her second career GNAC Player of the Week award helping lead the Vikings to a 3-2 record against a tough schedule at the NorCal Crossover. Matlock combined to bat .438 in the five games, going 7-for-16 at the plate, with seven RBI. In Friday's 7-2 win over Stanislaus State Matlock went 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI and followed that going 2-for-4 with three RBI against top-ranked Cal State San Marcos on Saturday. The first baseman started all five games, recording a perfect fielding percentage in 36 chances.
"It was great to see Liv settle in and be herself at the plate this weekend. We have been pulling her in a lot of different directions, between learning how to pitch again, getting her work in on defense and hitting, and she has handled it well and has been working hard for the team," said WWU head coach
Sheryl Gilmore. "When Liv trusts herself in the box, she is a scary hitter. She came up clutch for the team with runners on this weekend with seven big RBIs. Every time, she was just focusing on getting a base hit to score her teammates. It is a testament to how much she wants the team to be successful."
Evalyn Massena – Softball (Pitcher):
Sophomore
Evalyn Massena played a key role in the Vikings successful trip to the NorCal Crossover, going 2-0 in the circle with a 1.75 ERA. Massena recorded the first two wins of her collegiate career, moving into the circle this year to help strengthen the Vikings pitching staff. The right-hander tossed 5.0 shutout innings against No. 2 nationally-ranked Cal State East Bay and backed that up allowing one run over 4.1 innings to earn the win against Chico State. In three starts, Massena tossed 12.0 innings, striking out six and posting allowed three earned runs.
"I don't think there are enough words to describe how proud we all are of Evy. She has worked so hard to be in this position to fight for our team," said WWU head coach
Sheryl Gilmore. "She tore her ACL in our very first week of practice last season and she has worked so hard in physical therapy, the weight room and the training room to come back stronger. As if that wasn't big enough of a challenge, she essentially had to re-learn how to pitch after not throwing to a batter since high school She shows up, works hard, never complains and has just gotten better every day. Evy is grit personified and is the ultimate competitor."
