ST. LOUIS - Liam Priestley of Missouri State and Jaelyn Keene of Illinois State have been selected Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athletes of the Week, presented by Enterprise Bank and Trust Company, Commissioner Doug Elgin announced today. The two athletes were honored for their performances during the period of October 2- October 8.
To qualify for Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week laurels, student-athletes must carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.20, completed at least one academic year at a Valley institution and must be at least a sophomore in academic standing.
Redshirt freshmen and first-year junior college transfers are not eligible. In addition to the academic qualifications, student-athletes are evaluated on their athletic performance during the one-week period.
Liam Priestley, Missouri State, Sr., Soccer, Finance, 3.52 GPA
The senior goalkeeper posted two shutouts this week making 10 saves, to help the Bears extend their winning streak to seven with six-straight shutouts. Against Oral Roberts on Tuesday, Priestley made back-to-back impressive and timely saves in the 47th minute of the match. Oral Roberts lined up for a penalty kick, but Priestley dove to his left to make the save. The keeper kept ORU out of goal almost immediately after by saving a second shot attempt. Priestley tied his career high in saves (8) against ORU. In the match Saturday against Bradley, Priestley recorded two key saves in the 57th minute. The Essex, England native saved back-to-back headers from Bradley and showed off his athleticism to keep the Braves out of goal. Priestley leads the conference in goals against average (.349), save percentage (.913) and shutouts per game (.727). Priestley was also named National Player of the Week by College Soccer News.
Jaelyn Keene, Illinois State, Sr., Volleyball, Accounting, 3.97 GPA
Keene guided Illinois State’s volleyball team to a pair of Missouri Valley Conference wins over the weekend, leading her team in kills in both matches, while setting a Redbird Arena record in Saturday’s victory. For the weekend, Keene averaged 5.12 kills per set on a .411 hitting percentage, to go along with four aces and averages of 1.25 digs and 1.12 blocks per set. It was Keene’s performance in a win over Valparaiso Saturday that stood out, as she tallied a career-high 29 kills in the Redbird win, matching the Illinois State Redbird Arena record for kills in a match.
About Enterprise Bank and Trust Company
Enterprise Bank & Trust was founded nearly 30 years ago on the idea of serving the lifetime financial needs of privately-held businesses, their owner families and other success-minded individuals. That concept for Enterprise Bank & Trust has remained its unwavering and guiding vision. Enterprise Bank and Trust tailors its services to fit the needs of our clients and has all the capabilities of the largest financial companies with the personal relationship orientation of a community bank. Enterprise Bank and Trust offers a comprehensive array of banking, trust and financial advisory services. Member FDIC.