MILWAUKEE, Wis. (naccsports.org) --- Illinois Institute of Technology senior Karla Trautmann Mendez (Utuado, P.R.) and Lakeland University junior Laura Pearson (San Diego, Calif.) have been named Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) Women's Volleyball Student-Athletes of the Week for the week of Oct. 12-18, 2026, as selected by the league's athletics communications professionals.

Defense --- Laura Pearson, Jr., MB, Lakeland University
Pearson, a junior middle blocker, averaged 1.5 blocks per set as Lakeland went 2-0 with wins over MSOE and Dominican. She had seven blocks, including two solo stops, in a five-set win over MSOE to give the Raiders their first NACC loss. Pearson followed that effort with five blocks (one solo) in a 3-0 win over Dominican.

Offense --- Karla Trautmann Mendez, Sr., OH/RS, Illinois Institute of Technology
Trautmann Mendez, a senior outside hitter, continued to be the offensive backbone for Illinois Tech as the Scarlet Hawks posted a 2-1 mark during the week. She opened her week with 10 kills and three service aces in a 3-0 win at Dominican Oct. 15. In an Oct. 17 triangular against MSOE and Wheaton, Trautmann Mendez combined for 29 kills, three service aces, five digs, and three blocks. She tallied 17 kills, one service ace, and three total blocks in a 3-1 win over MSOE, then posted 12 kills, five digs, and two service aces in a 3-1 loss to Wheaton (Ill.). Trautmann Mendez finished the week with 39 while posting a .230 hitting percentage.