IRVINE, Calif. – Four Concordia Eagles were recognized by the PacWest Conference on Monday after outstanding performances this past week.

Two baseball players, a senior on the women's tennis squad, and a sophomore on the women's volleyball team were all recognized. Over the past two weeks, seven different CUI student-athletes have now been honored by the conference.
 
Gracie Rowland – PacWest Player of the Week – Women's Volleyball

CUI women's volleyball player Gracie Rowland has been named the PacWest Conference Player of the Week in the Southern California pod.

Last week, Concordia earned its first win over the Azusa Pacific Cougars since 2017. Rowland put up staggering numbers over APU which included a career-high night with 17 kills and had an impressive .333 hitting percentage while adding 17 digs defensively.

"The culture on and off the court was really, really incredible," said sophomore Rowland. "The bench was hyped, the team was hyped, the locker room talk was super supportive and I think that carried us."

In the 2021 season, the El Dorado Hills native has recorded 66 kills, 7 blocks, 41 digs, and eight aces. She follows Patience O'Neal for the most kills this year with just a one kill difference while hitting in double-digits in all five matches played. Rowland is currently ranked tenth in the PacWest conference with 53 kills while averaging 3.12 kills a set.

"My mindset in finishing out the rest of the season is to never stop trying to be better every play," said Rowland. "We work so hard in practice to be able to continuously move forward and thrive as a team and as individuals. I think that as long as we keep putting in work and working to be better every day we are going to finish the season strong and jump into the next season the way we are ending this one."

The Eagles head to La Mirada, Calif. to take on Biola as they look to bounce back after a close five set battle in their previous matchup. The game is slated for a 6 p.m. start time.

For the full CUI women's volleyball schedule, CLICK HERE.
 
Bailey Collins – PacWest Player of the Week – Baseball
Cole Spear – PacWest Pitcher of the Week - Baseball

Senior first baseman Bailey Collins and senior pitcher Cole Spear have been named PacWest Player of the Week and PacWest Pitcher of the Week, respectively. This is the first time in 2021 that two Eagles from the same team have received PacWest honors in the same week.

Bailey Collins tore the cover off the ball, collecting eight hits in 15 at-bats, culminating in a .533 batting average on the weekend. The senior also slugged three home runs and drove in five runs while scoring six himself. On Friday, the Colorado native hit a clutch two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game against Point Loma. Three batters later, CUI would walk it off with an RBI single to right field. In the series finale on Saturday against the Sea Lions, Collins scored all three runs in the 3-0 win while hitting two solo homers to secure the sweep.

In the same 3-0 win against Point Loma, senior Cole Spear pitched a complete game shutout, throwing 7.0 innings and striking out six batters while only surrendering three hits. Spear improved to 2-1 on the season en route to the series sweep.

"This series sweep was absolutely huge for us," said Spear. "Our hitting, pitching, and defense did a great job all around this weekend and will continue to do so. I'm really excited to see what this team can do the rest of the year."

"What a great honor for both guys to be recognized amongst many good players in our league," said CUI head coach Joe Turgeon. "Obviously, when you have a successful week as a team there are individuals that stand out. Bailey and Cole had tremendous weekends respectfully and are much deserving of Player and Pitcher of the Week. Bailey has been a great leader and mainstay in our lineup for years at a position (first base) with a ton of talent in this league. Cole has been coming into his own lately and this last start he was able to put it all together. We are all very proud of the team and feel great that Bailey and Cole's efforts are being recognized."

The Eagles visit nationally-ranked Azusa Pacific this Friday before hosting the Cougars for a doubleheader on Saturday, April 17.

For the current CUI baseball schedule, CLICK HERE.
 
Ghazal Pakbaten – PacWest Player of the Week - Women's Tennis

"G-Pak" as she is often called is currently ranked No. 36 nationally in Division II in ITA singles. She won the clinching point against Biola in the No. 1 singles position last week. Set scores were 6-3, 4-6, and 7-6 (7-0). Pakbaten came back after being down 5-2 in the third set to end up winning off a tiebreaker.  Teammate Rebekah Anderson and her were the only Eagles to win their doubles match as well with a score of 6-3.

"It means a lot to earn this award," said Pakbaten.  "(I've been) trying my best to put 100% on each game since it's my last year and I'm glad that I see the hard work pays off!"

Pakbaten is currently 5-0 in singles with two unfinished matches and 4-1 with doubles with one unfinished match alongside Anderson.

CUI visits Point Loma on Tuesday, April 13 and hosts Westmont to town on Wednesday, April 14.

For the updated CUI women's tennis schedule, CLICK HERE.

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Alex Kline, Taylor Krouse, Ben Rosehart and Kara Vincitorio contributed to this story.