Grand Rapids, Mich. — A year ago, Natalie West was a freshman trying to figure out the college game while being handed the keys to the Aquinas offense.

One year later, West isn't just running it. She's impacting virtually every part of the match.

The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference recognized that complete performance Monday, naming West the WHAC Women's Volleyball Setter of the Week after another outstanding week for the Saints.

West averaged 10.50 assists per set, continuing to direct an Aquinas attack that has established itself among the conference's best. But the number that might say the most about West's week isn't found in the setting column.

She averaged an impressive 1.43 blocks per set, production more commonly associated with one of the Saints' attackers than the player responsible for running the offense.

West's fingerprints were everywhere.

She continued to create problems from the service line, contributed defensively in the back row and remained an offensive threat herself. Against Madonna, West delivered one of her most complete performances of the season with 42 assists, 12 digs, five blocks, three service aces and two kills, helping AQ rebound from dropping the opening set to take the next three.

"Natalie is obviously an amazing setter, but what makes her so special is everything else she gives us," Aquinas Head Coach Ryan Campbell said. "She can change a match from the service line, she digs, she attacks and the numbers she gives us blocking are almost what you would expect from one of your attackers. There aren't many setters who can impact a match in as many different ways as Natalie can. She makes us better in every rotation."

That versatility isn't new.

West stepped directly into the starting setter role as a freshman in 2025 and finished her first collegiate season with 1,144 assists, 252 digs, 106 kills, 92 blocks and 36 service aces. Her debut season earned her WHAC Newcomer of the Year, continuing an Aquinas run of three consecutive winners of the award.

West said during the preseason that the biggest difference entering her sophomore year was confidence. After spending much of her freshman season learning the speed, commitment and expectations of college volleyball while simultaneously directing the Saints' offense, she entered Year Two feeling more comfortable and able to play freely rather than simply trying to keep up.

That growth is showing.

The Livonia, Mich., native came to Aquinas following an accomplished career at Livonia Stevenson, where she was a three-time all-conference selection, two-time all-region honoree, all-state honorable mention selection and two-time team MVP. She also earned multiple scholar-athlete awards while helping Stevenson capture division, city and district championships.

Now West is adding to that résumé in the Maroon and White.

And while Setter of the Week is the title attached to her latest conference honor, West continues to show that defining her impact by one position doesn't tell the entire story.

Inside the Numbers

• 10.50 assists per set: West continued to quarterback the Aquinas attack at an elite level.
• 1.43 blocks per set: Perhaps the most impressive number of the week, giving AQ front-row production more commonly associated with an attacker.
• 42 assists and 12 digs: West recorded a double-double in the Saints' four-set victory at Madonna.
• Every phase: Five blocks, three aces and two kills against Madonna showed the variety of ways West can influence a match.
• Year Two: West entered her sophomore season after totaling 1,144 assists, 252 digs, 106 kills, 92 blocks and 36 aces during her WHAC Newcomer of the Year freshman campaign.

Up Next

West and the Saints return to WHAC action Wednesday when Aquinas heads to Southfield, Mich., to battle Lawrence Tech.

The Setter of the Week honor could also be just the beginning of a busy awards week for the Maroon and White. Aquinas has additional conference award candidates in women's volleyball, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's cross country and men's and women's golf, with the Saints hoping to add more names to this week's list of WHAC honorees.