By: Jeff Evans, Assistant AD for Athletic Communications
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Western Washington University senior middle
Emily Vossenkuhl has been selected as the GNAC Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week for matches played August 24-30.
Vossenkuhl (Ridgefield, WA) had an all-around stellar opening week of the 2026 season helping lead the Vikings to a 2-1 record at the CWU Invitational. Vossenkuhl averaged 2.00 blocks per set, with 20 blocks assists and four solo blocks.
The senior had a standout performance in the five-set victory over Chaminade on Friday, recording the second-most total blocks in a match in WWU and GNAC history. She followed the career-best effort with seven more blocks and a season-best 10 kills in the win over San Francisco State on Saturday.
Through the first three matches of the season, Vossenkuhl has climbed to No. 9 in WWU history and 15th in conference history averaging 1.17 blocks per set. This marks Vossenkuhl's third GNAC Player of the Week award, tying for 11th-most in program history.
"Voss was huge for us at the net. Beyond the stuffs that she got, she touched a lot of balls to slow them down for our defense," said WWU head coach
Diane Flick-Williams. "Her motor and net coverage in long rallies is unreal as she puts just as much pressure on hitters in the fourth or fifth swing of a rally as she does on the first. I am really proud of her and this honor is very well deserved."
Senior outside hitter
Delaney Speer was nominated for the offensive weekly award after leading the Vikings averaging 4.50 kills per set while recording three double-double performances.
The Vikings take their 2-1 record to the Bronco Classic in Pomona, California this weekend, facing No. 25 Cal State San Bernardino, tournament host Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State LA. WWU's home and GNAC opener is scheduled for September 10 against Northwest Nazarene with first serve scheduled for 7 pm on WECU Court in Carver Gym.
