ONU Sweeps Final Regular-Season Women's Basketball Weekly Awards

CHICAGO --- Olivet Nazarene University closed out its championship regular season by having a pair of Tigers claim the final Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Week awards for 2025-26.  Olivia Dirkse (Davison, Mich.) picked up the offensive honors, while Lindsey Nell (Fond du Lac, Wis.) gained the defensive distinction.

The league office made the announcement on Tuesday morning.

Dirkse earned her first weekly award courtesy of her 30-point performance in a 103-65 championship-clinching contest over Holy Cross College on Wednesday night.  The senior guard was at her best, authoring a career-high nine three-pointers in 14 attempts (.643) en route to her season-high scoring effort.  The point total also tied her career-best mark.

Dirkse's nine treys were the second-most in school history and the second-best effort by a CCAC player this winter.  She also registered two rebounds, two assists and one steal.

Nell matched up her two weekly offensive awards from earlier this season with her second defensive honor.  Her career-high ten steals were the second-most in school history and resulted in the first double-double of her career.  Her 19 points secured that feat.

The sophomore guard also grabbed seven rebounds (three defensive) and provided five assists.

The contest was the only one on the week for ONU and clinched the CCAC regular-season title outright with an 18-2 record.  Overall, the Tigers are 22-6. 

Other Offensive Nominees: Allie Caldwell (Holy Cross), Carly Drew (Viterbo), Norriah Broomfield (Mount Mary), Le'lani Harris (St. Francis), Brooklyn Johnson (Saint Xavier), Tenleigh Phelps (Indiana South Bend).

Other Defensive Nominees: EJ Brown-Griffin (Indiana Northwest), Symone Harrell (St. Francis), Tenleigh Phelps (Indiana South Bend), Payton Calouette (St. Ambrose), Alaina Peetz (Saint Xavier), Pearla Teko-Folly (Viterbo).