Last Week’s Stats: .277 hitting percentage, 5.67 points/set, 4.67 kills/set, 2.78 digs/set, 0.67 service aces/set
Van Gisteren has been on a roll since the start of NEC play, and this past weekend was no exception. With the Sharks looking to maintain their spot on top of the league standings against second-place FDU, the junior outside hitter steered her team to two victories to put LIU in position to clinch its first NEC regular season title since 2018 headed into the final weekend of conference play. Hitting an impressive .277 during the two-match stretch, van Gisteren led the league in points (51.0) and points per set (5.67) after compiling a well-rounded stat line of 42 kills, six blocks and six service aces. The Leuth, Neterhlands native tallied a double-double on Friday, registering 16 kills, 10 digs and four aces to guide LIU past FDU in a five-set thriller. On Saturday, she helped the Sharks make it a weekend sweep with a 3-1 victory. Matching a season-best effort in both kills (26) and blocks (5), van Gisteren contributed two more points from the service line to push the Sharks’ record against league foes to 13-1. On the season, she is second in the league in kills (335) and kills per set (3.90), while her 4.60 points per set are also good for second. This is her third NEC/Molten Player of the Week award this season.