The GSAC has unveiled its Players of the Week after a standout stretch across the league. Benedictine Mesa’s Ryder Padgett paced the men’s soccer awards with three goals and two assists, while Arizona Christian’s Emiliano Vega locked down the net with 13 saves. On the women’s side, Hope International freshman Jacinda Rivera made an impressive debut, and Embry-Riddle’s Natalia Sepulveda commanded the back line in a dominant shutout win. In volleyball, The Master’s Macy Gebhards and Sierra Hale led the Mustangs to a 3-1 weekend, and Embry-Riddle’s Alice Tuci powered the Eagles’ offense with precision setting.
Men’s Soccer
Player of the Week: Ryder Padgett – Benedictine Mesa
Padgett powered the Redhawks’ offense with three goals and two assists over two matches, helping Benedictine Mesa dominate the week with a pair of victories. He scored once and assisted another in a 4-1 win over Nelson University, then exploded for two goals and another assist in a 10-0 rout of Justice College. Padgett averaged 1.5 goals per game while leading the team with eight total points.
Defender of the Week: Emiliano Vega – Arizona Christian
Vega was a defensive wall for the Firestorm, tallying 13 saves over two matches while allowing just two goals. He recorded five stops in a 3-1 victory over Northwest and then turned away eight shots in a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Southern Oregon. His .867 save percentage anchored Arizona Christian’s back line and secured an unbeaten week.
Women’s Soccer
Player of the Week: Jacinda Rivera – Hope International
Making her collegiate debut, Rivera made an immediate impact by scoring two goals and adding an assist in Hope International’s 5-0 win over Stanton. Her five-point outing helped the Royals secure their fifth consecutive season-opening victory and showcased her ability to create and finish opportunities.
Defender of the Week: Natalia Sepulveda – Embry-Riddle
Sepulveda led a dominant defensive performance as the Eagles shut out Oregon Tech in a 3-0 win. Anchoring the back line at centerback, she helped hold the Owls without a single shot attempt all match, setting the tone for ERAU’s defensive identity early in the season.
Women’s Volleyball
Attacker of the Week: Macy Gebhards – The Master’s University
Gebhards delivered an exceptional weekend at the CSM Labor Day Classic, averaging 3.12 kills per set across four matches while hitting .230. Two of those victories came against ranked opponents, showcasing her ability to rise to the moment. She also contributed six blocks, three service aces, and 36 digs as The Master’s posted a 3-1 weekend record.
Setter of the Week: Alice Tuci – Embry-Riddle
Tuci orchestrated the Eagles’ offense to perfection, dishing out 106 assists across three matches for an impressive average of 11.78 assists per set. Her steady distribution fueled three straight wins for Embry-Riddle while also adding 23 digs and five blocks to her stat line.
Defender of the Week: Sierra Hale – The Master’s University
Hale was a defensive force for The Master’s, totaling 90 digs across four matches, averaging an outstanding 22.5 per contest. She posted a career-high 31 digs in a five-set battle against Morningside and added 11 service aces and 16 assists over the weekend, helping the Mustangs secure a 3-1 showing in Omaha.