The Saints playmaker earned the honor after leading the club to victories in five of six matches last week, including the title of the Saint Xavier University Cougar Invitational Sept. 9-10 in Chicago.
Gustafson logged 241 assists in the six outings for an average of 9.6 assists per game. She entered the season as the program's all-time leader in assists and has made the all-CCAC team each of the last three years and the all-Region VII team twice. She also contributed 19 service aces in the six matches, including a total of seven in a CCAC win over Robert Morris. She totaled 31 kills in 81 attempts and also had 36 digs for the week with a best of 14 in a victory over St. Josephs (IN).
Gustafsons strong week helped the Saints win five straight matches after dropping their CCAC opener at Olivet Nazarene on Sept. 6. USF rebounded with a league win over Robert Morris on Sept. 8 and SXU Invitational victories over Tiffin (OH), St. Josephs, Illinois Tech and Saint Xavier. Tiffin and Illinois Tech were the only two foes to take the Saints to five games in that stretch.
The Saints are now 12-3 for the season after beginning the current week with
a CCAC road victory at Cardinal Stritch (WI) on Tuesday night. USF is 2-1 in
CCAC play. The Saints play host to the USF Invitational this Friday and Saturday
in Joliet. Visiting teams include Grand View (IA), William Penn (IA), Indiana
Wesleyan and Walsh (OH).