BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Rachel Kawiecki (Sr., Richfield, Minn.) was named the MIAC Women's Basketball Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, Dec. 9.

Kawiecki helped the dominant Gustie defense to a pair of MIAC-opening wins last week, collecting a trio of blocks as well as seven rebounds and six steals against Augsburg and Concordia-Moorhead. Kawiecki averaged 8.0 points per game, shooting 6-for-9 between the two games. She helped the Gusties hold opponents to limited points, an average of 42.0 a game, and drew five fouls between the two contests.

Against Augsburg, Kawiecki collected three defensive rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and three steals. She added six points on 2-for-3 shooting, as well as a pair of made free throws. She posted her second double-digit point game of the season against Concordia, scoring 10 on 4-for-6 shooting and a pair of made free throws. She collected four rebounds, three of which were defensive, added a block, and three more steals.

Gustavus held Concordia, who entered as the Division III leader in three-point shooting, to 2-for-10 from long range on Saturday, as well as a 32.0 percent mark from the field, a season-low for the Cobbers. Concordia shot below 30 percent in two quarters, while the Auggies also struggled to make shots against the Gusties, going 1-for-10 in the third quarter to help the home team pull away and hold Augsburg to 35.3 percent shooting in the game. 

The Gusties' 50.1 points allowed per game ranks 18th in NCAA Division III this season, while their 13.6 turnovers per game is the 25th-best mark in DIII this year. 

Kawiecki's award is the sixth MIAC Athlete of the Week honor for the women's basketball team this season, as Emma Kniefel (5th, Medford, Minn.), Izzy Quick (5th, Brooklyn Park, Minn.), and Morgan Kelly (Sr., Saint Peter, Minn.) have also earned the recognition. This is the third consecutive week the Gusties have collected the defensive honor, as Kelly picked up the first selection of her career last Monday, and Quick her second of the season on Nov. 25. The six awards are the most in a single season in program history, beating the previous record of three set in 2023-24.

Gustavus continues its home stand Wednesday night, hosting St. Olaf (5-3, 0-2 MIAC) at 7:30 p.m. for a conference match-up at Gus Young Court.