Rock Hill, S.C.----Wingate University junior setter Maya Van Heyst has been named the WePlayed Sports South Atlantic Conference volleyball Offensive Player of the Week, while senior libero Maddie Hoffman is the Defensive Player of the Week, league officials announced Monday afternoon. Van Heyst earns Player of the Week accolades for the third time in her career, while Hoffman earns the honor for the fourth time in her career.

The duo led Wingate to a 3-1 opening weekend at the Bulldog Invitational. The 'Dogs opened up the season by sweeping UNC Pembroke Thursday night. Wingate then swept past Francis Marion and USC Aiken Saturday.

A third team All-American in 2024, Van Heyst did it all for the 'Dogs on opening week. The junior piled up 136 assists, 43 digs, 22 kills, seven blocks and four aces, handing out 10.46 assists per set while posting a .347 hitting percentage. She started her year with 27 assists, 11 digs, five kills, two aces and two blocks, while notching 36 assists, 16 digs and nine kills against Lewis. Van Heyst piled up 44 assists in the FMU sweep, adding seven digs and five blocks, while capping her week with 29 assists, nine digs, seven kills and an ace against the Pacers.

Hoffman collected 84 digs on the weekend, averaging 6.46 digs per set while also handing out 25 assists and notching five aces. The honorable mention All-American had 22 digs, seven assists and two digs in the opener, while picking up 24 digs against Lewis. She had 17 more digs against the Patriots, while capping her weekend by piling up 21 digs, eight assists and two aces against USC Aiken.

The Bulldogs are back in action this weekend, playing four more matches at the UNC Pembroke Tournament. Wingate faces Eckerd and Virginia State Friday, while taking on Albany State and UNCP Saturday.