Salem’s Hemmila, Gannon’s Martinez earn WWPA weekly honors

The top two seeds in the East Region took home WWPA Player of the Week honors following standout performances at the Salem Invitational.

WWPA Offensive Player of the Week
Gannon freshman Maria Martinez earned her second WWPA Offensive Player of the Week honor after helping the Golden Knights to the No. 2 seed in the East. The Barcelona product delivered 28 points over five matches with 16 goals to go along with 12 assists. She was particularly lethal in the two Saturday matches that earned GU the tiebreaker, registering 16 total points in wins over McKendree and Mercyhurst. She had six goals and four assists against the Bearcats before scoring three and dishing out three assists against Mercyhurst. She recorded three hat tricks, shot .500 or better three times, and added nine steals. She leads the WWPA in total goals (60) and goals per game (3.2).

Nominees: Maria Martinez Gannon; Matipa Karimazondo, Salem; Gwendolyn Pidd, Biola; Bella Morquecho, McKendree; Kiryn Wicker, UC Merced

Jan. 12-18, 2026: Stella Martin, Cal State Monterey Bay
Jan. 19-25, 2026: Bella Morquecho, McKendree
Jan. 26-Feb. 1, 2026: Gwendolyn Pidd, Biola & Mia Hueston, Concordia
Feb. 2-8, 2026: Courtney Repinz, Salem
Feb. 9-15, 2026: Amber Lewis, Concordia
Feb. 16-22, 2026: Maria Martinez, Gannon
Feb. 23-Mar. 1, 2026: Shanelle Márquez, McKendree
Mar. 2-8, 2026: Olivia Gutierrez, Cal State Monterey Bay
Mar. 9-15, 2026: Courtney Repinz, Salem
Mar. 16-22, 2026: Gwendolyn Pidd, Biola
Mar. 23-29, 2026: Maria Martinez, Gannon

WWPA Defensive Player of the Week
Kristen Hemmila earned her first WWPA Defensive Player of the Week honor following a three-game sweep at the Salem Invitational. The goalkeeper from Ohio allowed just five goals in eight quarters of play while stopping 17 shots. She added three steals, an assist and even scored twice. Hemmila posted a 2.5 goals-against average. Her .577 save percentage is the highest in the conference.

Nominees: Izabella Trunzo, Gannon; Kristen Hemmila, Salem; Fernanda Luna, Biola; Delaney Judkins, McKendree; Mackenzie Royal, UC Merced

Jan. 12-18, 2026: Marissa White, Cal State Monterey Bay
Jan. 19-25, 2026: Marissa White, Cal State Monterey Bay
Jan. 26-Feb. 1, 2026: No nominees
Feb. 2-8, 2026: Dakota Lambert, Fresno Pacific
Feb. 9-15, 2026: Tiffani Hunter, Concordia
Feb. 16-22, 2026: Fernanda Luna, Biola
Feb. 23-Mar. 1, 2026: Jaden Soto, Concordia
Mar. 2-8, 2026: Jaden Soto, Concordia
Mar. 9-15, 2026: Delaney Judkins, McKendree
Mar. 16-22, 2026: Fernanda Luna, Biola
Mar. 23-29, 2026: Kristen Hemmila, Salem