BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. -- Four Yellow Jackets were named Mountain East Conference Player of the Week when the league offices announced the recipients of the awards on Monday afternoon. Football's Malik Newton and Women's Soccer's Fran Soares-Cupertino were both named MEC Offensive Player of the Week while Volleyball's Grace Martin and Women's Soccer's Cierra Savin both received MEC Defensive Player of the Week accolades.

Freshman running back Malik Newton had 16 carries for 131 yards (8.2 yards per carry) in a 38-3 win over West Virginia Wesleyan last week. Newton has rushed for over 100 yards on three occasions this season. He's rushed for 535 yards this season which is third-best in the MEC and is averaging 6.1 yards per rush, which is at least one more yard than the averages of the two leading rushers in the conference. He also has three touchdowns despite not being utilized in short-yardage situations. 

Junior middle blocker Grace Martin recorded 10 total blocks, including three solo blocks, in two sweeps for the Yellow Jackets last week. Her 13.5 points against Davis & Elkins was the highest total on her team. She also hit over .500 percent in both matches.

Senior striker Fran Soares-Cupertino scored three goals in two wins for WVSU last week. She played in the first half against Glenville State and scored both goals in a 2-0 win for WVSU. She took four shots, with three shots on goal, in 45 minutes played. Soares-Cupertino also scored the game winner in a 2-1 win versus Wheeling. She played the full 90 minutes and took five shots with three of those shots being on target. 

Senior fullback Cierra Savin had a goal and an assist in two wins for WVSU last week. She had an assist on the second goal scored by the Yellow Jackets in a 2-0 win over Glenville State and scored the first goal in a 2-1 win over Wheeling. She played a total of 150 minutes in two matches with four shots, three shots on goal, one goal, and one assist.