Poll results: Breese volleyball player is southwestern Illinois Athlete of the Week

Volleyball player Alayna Santel of Central High School in Breese is the winner of the Belleville News-Democrat Athlete of the Week, as selected by readers of bnd.com.

Santel, a senior, had 81 kills with 14 points scored during the Cougars six-game winning streak through the week.

Santel received 98% of the votes after the Knights’ win streak continues this season.

Here are this week’s other nominees:

• Hayes Van Breusegen, Columbia High School, Junior, Forward: Van Breusegen scored 7 goals last week in wins over Alton Marquette, Roxana and Maryville Christian.
• Allie Becker, Mascoutah High School, Senior, Server: Becker had 11 kills, 4 blocks, 8 digs and scored 12 points on 19 serves in a win over Jerseyville and loss against Breese Central.
• Brady Hemminghaus, Columbia High School, Junior, Goalkeeper: Hemminghaus had 3 shutouts last week and 4 straight including 0-0 tie with Triad, for 12 total shutouts on the year, leading St. Louis Metropolitan area.

The poll ended at 10 a.m. Friday.

To be clear, this poll is not scientific. In fact, we invite you to vote as many times as you want. It’s all for fun, BND readers.

The next athlete of the week poll will appear on the BND’s website — www.bnd.com — at 5 a.m. Wednesday. Please email nominations to alathan@bnd.com.

This story was originally published October 14, 2023 at 7:00 AM with the headline "Poll results: Breese volleyball player is southwestern Illinois Athlete of the Week."