Grand Rapids, MI —The Saints are making their presence felt across the WHAC, and the spotlight keeps swinging back to Aquinas. During the week of September 22–28, 2025, three standout performers once again rose to the top, claiming conference Player of the Week awards. Each has already won WHAC honors this fall, and their latest showings — from clutch saves in net to spectacular sets and relentless defense — prove that Aquinas athletes are setting the pace for the season.
Women's Soccer – Defensive Player of the Week
Kayla Shuk (Sr., GK – Farmington Hills, MI)
Senior goalkeeper Kayla Shuk anchored the Saints' defense with two outstanding performances this past week. She made five key saves in a 2–1 win over Cornerstone and followed it with seven stops to backstop a 2–1 comeback victory on the road at Northwestern Ohio. Shuk came up especially clutch against UNOH, denying a penalty kick and keeping Aquinas alive until her teammates rallied for two late goals. Across the two matches, she tallied 12 saves and allowed just one goal in each contest, guiding AQ to a perfect 2–0 WHAC week. Her leadership in net has been pivotal to the Saints' unbeaten start in conference play. This marks Shuk's second WHAC Defensive Player of the Week award this season, highlighting her consistency and reliability.
Coach Jenna Smith praised her senior keeper: "Kayla's composure in pressure moments is what sets her apart. Coming up with a clutch saves and delivering back-to-back strong outings shows exactly why she's a repeat winner of this award. She's the backbone of our defense and gives our team confidence every time she steps on the field."
Women's Volleyball – Setter of the Week
Natalie West (Fr., S – Livonia, MI)
Freshman setter Natalie West continues to shine, earning her second WHAC Setter of the Week honor in just her first collegiate season. She dished out 41 assists in a four-set road victory at Defiance, keeping the AQ attack balanced and efficient. West then followed with another 34 assists in a straight-set sweep over Lourdes, bringing her weekend total to 75 helpers. She also added 22 digs across the two matches, proving her all-around impact on both sides of the ball. Her steady hands have been crucial in running Aquinas' offense, helping the Saints to extend their unbeaten conference record. West's ability to distribute the ball to multiple hitters has made AQ's offense unpredictable and hard to defend.
Head Coach Ryan Campbell had high praise for the freshman: "Natalie plays well beyond her years. The way she controls the tempo of our offense and gets everyone involved is remarkable for a first-year player. She continues to be recognized because she makes our entire team better."
Women's Volleyball – Defensive Player of the Week
Bella Hommes (Sr., DS – Grand Rapids, MI)
Senior defensive specialist Bella Hommes once again proved why she's one of the toughest defenders in the WHAC. In the win at Defiance, she posted a team-high 24 digs while also contributing a service ace and four assists. She followed that effort with 20 more digs and another ace in the sweep at Lourdes, finishing the weekend with 44 digs in just seven sets. Hommes' relentless pursuit of every ball and steady passing anchored AQ's back row and fueled the transition game. Her consistency has been instrumental in the Saints' defensive identity and ongoing win streak. This is already her third WHAC Defensive Player of the Week award this fall, underscoring her value to the Saints.
Coach Campbell lauded her effort: "Bella is the linchpin of our defense. Week after week, she sets the tone with her energy and toughness, and her repeat recognition just shows how impactful she is. We don't win these matches without her presence in the back row."
Saints on the Rise
We are midway through the fall sports season, and Aquinas continues to shine within the WHAC. AQ has had at least two WHAC POTW winners every week since the 2025–26 awards began. You might have heard this somewhere, but it bears repeating (just like these three POTW winners): it's a great time to be a SAINT!
