MIAC Athletes of Week

WINONA, Minn. — Alex Peterson (Harmony, Minn.) has been one of the driving forces for the Saint Mary's University volleyball team this season.

And when they Cardinals needed her most — with a post-season berth hanging in the balance — the SMU sophomore stepped up once again.

Peterson was instrumental in the Cardinals' two conference wins last week — including a 3-1 win over Gustavus last Saturday that earned SMU its first MIAC playoff appearance since 2010.

And Tuesday afternoon, Peterson was recognized for her efforts, being named Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Hitter of the Week.

Peterson started her big week last Wednesday in SMU's 3-0 win at St. Olaf. She finished with 20 kills — against just five errors — for a .385 attack percentage, while adding six digs and one block in the sweep.

And against the Gusties three days later, Peterson recorded 18 kills and five digs in leading Saint Mary's to its tournament-clinching 3-1 win over Gustavus.

The team's kills leader with 377, Peterson has eclipsed 20 kills in a match twice this season — including career-high 23 kills against Central (Iowa) on Oct. 4. — and has notched 10 or more kills in 18 straight matches and 28 times in the Cardinals' 30 matches this season.

The Cardinals — who are locked into the No. 5 spot for the upcoming MIAC Tournament — close out the regular season on Saturday, hosting fourth-ranked and defending national champion St. Thomas in a 3 p.m. match at the SMU Gym.