Natalie Schieder of Alden was recognized by the Empire 8 Conference as its Women's Volleyball Player of the Week, as announced by the conference office on Monday afternoon.

2017 Oct 2

Natalie Schieder of Alden was recognized by the Empire 8 Conference as its Women's Volleyball Player of the Week, as announced by the conference office on Monday afternoon.

Schieder is coming off of a banner weekend at the Canton Classic, which was co-hosted by SUNY Canton and St. Lawrence University. The 5-foot-8-inch outside hitter guided the Soaring Eagles to a 3-1 showing at the Canton Classic, thanks to her team-leading 49 kills, 3.77 kills per set, and 12 service aces. She also ranked second on the team with 44 digs and 3.38 digs per set. Schieder produced double-digit kills in three of the four matches, including her seventh double-double of the year in a four-set win over Plattsburgh State. For her efforts, she was named to the Canton Classic All-Tournament Team.

The Alden, New York, native opened the weekend with six kills, a season-high seven aces and nine digs in a 3-0 sweep of Cazenovia on Saturday. In outings against Plattsburgh, SUNY Canton and St. Lawrence, Schieder finished with no less than 14 kills. Against the Cardinals, she posted 15 kills and a season-best 21 digs, the fifth time in her career that she's collected 20-plus digs, for her team-leading seventh double-double of the season.

The third-year outside hitter registered 14 kills in both matches on Sunday, the first being a straight-set win over the Kangaroos and the latter a four-set loss to the Saints. In the two matches combined, Schieder had two blocks, served five aces and dug 14 balls.

Thus far in the 2017 campaign, Schieder is second in the Empire 8 in kills (3.85), fourth in aces (.58) and seventh in digs per set (3.25). Nationally, her kills per set average ranks 35th in all of Division III.

Schieder and the Soaring Eagles have their sights set on their upcoming E8 match against Alfred University. EC will travel to the Terry S. Galanis Family Arena in Alfred, New York, on Tuesday, October 3, for a 6:00 p.m. bout with the Saxons.