ATLANTA — A trio of first-timers took home the initial 2022-23 ASUN Conference women's basketball weekly honors, announced Monday by the league office in Atlanta. Jalyn Holcomb of Lipscomb earned Player of the Week after she averaged 23 points per game last week against TCU, Northern Kentucky and Wilberforce. Newcomer of the Week went to Alyza Winston of FGCU after she collected 22 points against Old Dominion (81-62) and 19 tallies on the road at FIU (92-63) in a pair of wins.
Gracie Merkle of Bellarmine rounded out the group as the Freshman of the Week after averaging 12.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks against No. 16 LSU and Purdue Fort Wayne.
Women's Basketball Freshman of the Week
Gracie Merkle, Bellarmine
Freshman | Center | Washington, Ky.
- First career Freshman of the Week recognition; initial honor in Knights' program history
- Averaged 12.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks against No. 16 LSU and Purdue-Fort Wayne
- Her 22-point, 14-rebound effort against the Mastodons marked her first career double-double
- The 14 rebounds are also a Bellarmine NCAA Division I-era single-game program record
- Her three blocks against PFW tied a D1-era single-game record; nine field goals made was fourth-best
Other Freshman Nominees: Brooklyn McDaniel, Jacksonville State; Pien Steenbergen, Liberty; Ainhoa Cea, Lipscomb; Emma Kate Tittle, North Alabama.
Women's Basketball Player of the Week
Jalyn Holcomb, Lipscomb
Senior | Guard | Murfreesboro, Tenn.
- First Career ASUN Player of the Week award; 21st all-time honor for the Bisons
- Averaged 23 points per game last week against TCU, Northern Kentucky and Wilberforce
- Netted a career-best 28 points against the Norse on 11-of-18 shooting in 45 minutes
- Shot 60% from the field (27-of-45) and nearly 50% from behind the arc (47.1)
- Led Lipscomb in scoring the first three games; added six assists, five steals and a block
Other Player Nominees: Yamia Johnson, Austin Peay; Alyza Winston, FGCU; Seraphine Bastin, Jacksonville; Imari Martin, Jacksonville State; Amani Johnson, Kennesaw State; Mya Berkman, Liberty; Jade Moore, North Alabama; Lyric Swann, North Florida.
Women's Basketball Newcomer of the Week
Alyza Winston, FGCU
Junior | Guard | Muskegon, Mich.
- First Career ASUN Newcomer of the Week accolade; 48th all-time recognition for FGCU
- Registered a total of 41 points in two games to help the Eagles start the season 2-0
- Collected 22 points against Old Dominion (81-62) and 19 tallies on the road at FIU (92-63)
- Was 7-for-13 in field goals and 6-for-8 at the free-throw-line against the Monarchs on Nov. 7
- Was the top scorer in the contest against the Panthers; finished 8-of-14 from the floor and hit two treys
Other Newcomer Nominees: Mariah Adams, Austin Peay; Hayley Harrison, Bellarmine; Seraphine Bastin, Jacksonville; Brooklyn McDaniel, Jacksonville State; Lyndsey Whilby, Kennesaw State; Pien Steenbergen, Liberty; Aleah Sorrentino, Lipscomb; Emma Kate Tittle, North Alabama; Lyric Swann, North Florida.
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