MARQUETTE – Northern Michigan University’s Madison Whitehead has been named the Division II National Player of the Week by Sports Imports/American Volleyball Coaches Association.

Whitehead is the seventh Wildcat in program history to be honored as top national player and one of only two to receive this award in the past decade.

Caryn VanBeckum was the last on Oct. 22, 2007. VanBeckum led Northern to an upset of No. 8 Grand Valley State, tallying 26 kills, six digs and two blocks eight years ago.

“What a tremendous award for our program, team and for Madison,” NMU head coach Dominic Yoder said. “Madison has worked very hard at her volleyball craft, yet she still has unlimited upside.”

Whitehead, selected the GLIAC North Division Player of the Week on Monday, posted a career-high 26 kills to lead Northern to a five-set upset win over No. 1-ranked Ferris State on Saturday.

Over the weekend, she averaged 3.80 kills per set and a .300 hitting percentage. She also posted 10 total blocks, seven of which came in the Wildcats’ five-set loss to Grand Valley State on Friday.