Canisius graduate student guard Vannessa Garrelts and freshman forward Sisi Eleko each took home Hercules Tires MAAC Weekly Awards, the conference office announced on Monday.
Garrelts was named MAAC Player of the Week while Eleko was recognized as the circuit’s Rookie of the Week. Eleko is the first Golden Griffin women’s player to be tabbed MAAC Rookie of the Week since sophomore guard Cheyenne Stubbs was recognized last January. Garrelts, meanwhile, is the first member of the Blue and Gold to earn MAAC Player of the Week honors since Sara Hinriksdottir claimed the award on Feb. 25, 2019.
Garrelts poured in a career-high 22 points in Canisius’ 74-67 victory over Rider on Dec. 17 at the Koessler Athletic Center. The Spring Grove, Ill., native was 6-of-9 from the floor and a perfect 8-for-8 at the free-throw line in the victory, with all eight of her makes at the charity stripe coming in the fourth quarter. Garrelts also grabbed pulled down eight rebounds and dished out five assists.
A native of Montreal, Quebec, Eleko finished one rebound shy of a double-double as she scored 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the seven-point triumph. Her nine boards in the contest also set a season high, breaking her previous season best of seven, set on Nov. 20 against Binghamton.
Following Monday’s contest against Marist, the Blue and Gold take their holiday break before returning to action Dec. 29 with a conference road contest at Manhattan. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m., with the game streaming on ESPN+.
