By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Olivia Cadien (Jr., OH, Mesa, AZ/Chandler Preparatory Academy) of Willamette University has been named the Northwest Conference Volleyball Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week for her efforts at the UC Santa Cruz Slugfest on Friday, Sept. 1 and Saturday, Sept. 2. Cadien was chosen for the All-Tournament Team after helping the Bearcats go 2-1 to start the season.

During the UCSC Slugfest, Cadien registered 53 kills for an average of 4.4 kills per set. She earned 22 kills in the Bearcats' 3-1 win over Hamline University (Minn.). Also against Hamline, she provided four service aces, which contributed to Willamette setting a school record with 19 team service aces during the match. In addition to her kills and a .202 slugging percentage, Cadien supplied the Bearcats with 17 digs and six service aces at the UCSC Slugfest.

Willamette opened the tournament with a 3-2 victory over California Lutheran University on Friday. On Saturday, the Bearcats downed Hamline but lost to Gustavus Adolphus College (Minn.), 3-0.

The Bearcats will be back in action this weekend at the Oregon Trail Classic, co-hosted by Lewis & Clark College (Friday, Sept. 8) in Portland, Oregon, and by George Fox University (Saturday, Sept. 9) in Newberg, Oregon. On Friday, Willamette will take on West Coast Baptist College (Calif.) at 11:30 a.m. PDT before playing Schreiner University (Texas) at 2 p.m. On Saturday, the Bearcats will battle Loras College (Iowa) at 12:30 p.m. and will face Wells College (N.Y.) at 5:30 p.m.