ST. PAUL, Minn. - Concordia University setter Maggie McNamara has been named the NSIC Setter of the Week, the fifth such honor for the senior this season.  The Golden Bears saw additional accolades this week as junior middle blocker Emily Palkert was named NSIC Offensive Player of the Week, the first such award this season.  Concordia is 25-0 on the year and 14-0 in league play.

Maggie McNamara (Sr., Zumbrota, Minn.) averaged 12.17 assists and 3.67 digs per set in two wins put up by the Golden Bears last week.  She guided her offense to 14.67 kills per set with a .317 hitting average and also saw the most action defensively in a single week for the season.  McNamara not only pushed the team's offense, but she also pitched in heavily on defense.  Her 22 digs matched her with the team's libero for the team lead in digs. 

In addition to her 30 assists, McNamara run up a team high 16 digs against Northern State on Friday.  On the weekend, the outstanding setter compiled 73 total assists to push her season total over the 1,000 threshold (1,051) and her career total to 6,851.  This mark bumps her to 4th all-time in the NCAA for career assists and leaves her 229 assists from the all-time leader.  McNamara leads the nation in assists per set with a 13.47 average.

Emily Palkert (Jr., Excelsior, Minn.) was the Northern Sun Conference's best offensive player this past week, averaging 4.33 kills per set with a .463 hitting average in two Golden Bear wins.  She also averaged 1.67 blocks per set, adding four solo and six assisted blocks to help stifle opponents to a combined .035 hitting average. 

Palkert had a tremendous blocking night on Friday against Northern State, taking care of four blocks on her own and combining with teammates for another three to make it seven on the night.  Against the Marauders on Saturday, Palkert was lights out offensively with 17 kills and a .636 average.  She added another three blocks, as well.  The junior middle blocker is third in the NSIC with 3.77 kills per set.  Her team high 294 kills this season has helped Concordia remain the strongest offensive team in the NCAA Division II, leading all other teams in kills (15.60/s) and hitting average (.325).