Lady Jay VB players earn athletic honors, another gets scholarship

The Minnesota College Athletic Conference has released its volleyball Athlete of the Week awards for the week of Aug. 24-30. 

Minnesota West Community and Technical College sophomore setter Aubrey Weedman has been named the MCAC South Division Offensive Athlete of the Week after helping lead the Lady Jays to a perfect 4-0 week, with all the victories coming over the weekend Crossover Tournament at Anoka-Ramsey Community College. Weedman, of Janesville, totaled 75 assists and five service aces across 10 sets. She also added 24 digs and three kills. 

Lady Jays freshman libero Kyrie Matucha has been named the MCAC South Division Defensive Athlete of the Week after leading the team's defense to a clean sweep of their four opponents. Matucha totaled 49 digs and eight service aces in 12 sets. She also added four kills and seven assists while helping steady Minnesota West's serve receive.

A Minnesota West volleyball team member announced with a different type of recognition is Ellyana Sand, a sophomore from Freeport, who has been named a 2026 Chime Workforce Scholar. She joins 200 students nationwide recognized for their academic achievement and pursuit of career-focused education.

The Chime Workforce Scholarship, funded by the Chime Scholars Foundation and administered by the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation, provides each scholar with $1,000 to help cover educational expenses while completing a certificate or associate degree that prepares them to enter the workforce in a high-demand field.

The Chime Workforce Scholarship supports students preparing for high-demand careers that strengthen their communities and local economies. By helping students complete their education and earn workforce credentials, the program helps create a stronger pipeline of skilled workers in fields where they are needed most.

For the Lady Jays' volleyball team this season, Sand is tied for third on the team in both kills and blocks. Minnesota West is 7-1 overall and ranked sixth in the NJCAA Division 3 poll released Monday.