Janelle Balcerzak Named Forester Athlete of the Week
Junior had 59 kills, eight aces, and 15 blocks in five matches

Janelle Balcerzak at least tied for the team lead in kills in three of the last five matches.

Balcerzak, a junior, started the week with a dozen kills and four aces in her team’s four-game loss to Elmhurst College, the nation’s seventh-ranked team, last Thursday (September 29). She also added three blocks in the contest.

The Foresters played three times at home on Saturday (October 1), defeating both Illinois Wesleyan University and North Park University and falling to Aurora University. Each match lasted just three games. Balcerzak recorded a team-high 31 kills on the day, including 11 against both Aurora and North Park, and added two aces, 13 digs, and six blocks. Her hitting percentage of .277 in the three matches combined was also the highest mark on the team.

Finally, in a five-game loss to Monmouth College on Tuesday (October 4), Balcerzak led the team again with 16 kills and a .326 hitting percentage and shared team-high honors with two aces and six blocks.

For the week Balcerzak recorded 59 kills, eight aces, 15 blocks, and a .287 hitting percentage. She also added four assists and 31 digs.

The Forester Athlete of the Week is chosen by members of the Athletic Department on Thursdays.

Other Forester Athletes of the Week