WALTHAM, Mass. -- Senior outside hitter Anna Ertischek of Montgomery, Texas, from the volleyball team and senior forward Elan Romo of Weston, Florida, and the men’s soccer team have been named the Brandeis University Athletes of the Week for the week ending September 28. The Brandeis Athlete of the Week program is presented by The Chateau Restaurant and Jake n JOES Sports Grille.
Ertischek was outstanding for the Judges against four high-quality opponents. In a three-set loss to Tufts University on Wednesday evening, she joined Brandeis’s 1,000-kill club in the second set, becoming the 11th player in school history to reach the milestone. At the first University Athletic Association Round Robin of the season at Emory University in Atlanta, Erischek had 23 kills in a five-set loss to Case Western Reserve, the highest total by any player in the conference over the weekend. She had eight in a three-set loss to #9 Emory and 17 kills and just two errors in 34 attacks for a .441 hitting percentage in a three-set loss to #25 Carnegie Mellon. Overall for the week, Ertischek averaged 4.13 kills per set with a .272 hitting percentage. For the season, she ranks third in the UAA with 3.65 kills per set and seventh with a .281 hitting percentage. This is her second Brandeis Athlete of the Week honor of 2025.
Brandeis returns to action on Friday, October 3, when they play host to local rivals Lasell University at 6 p.m.
Romo helped the Judges remain undefeated during a 1-0-1 week. In a top-25 showdown on Wednesday afternoon, #18 Brandeis hosted #9 Wheaton. Romo was involved in all three Brandeis goals. He drew a foul in the 18-yard box to draw a PK for the team’s first goal, then scored one of his own to give Brandeis a 2-0 lead. After Wheaton closed to within 2-1, Romo added an assist five minutes into the second half to give the Judges a 3-1 advantage. Wheaton would rally to tie the game in the 76th minute as the teams earned a 3-3 draw. Brandeis extended their unbeaten streak to nine this season and 12 overall with a 1-0 win over John Carroll University on Saturday.
The Judges, now ranked #12 in Division III, open University Athletic Association play this weekend with a trip to St. Louis to meet #11 Washington University at 12 p.m. Eastern (11 a.m. Central).
This is the tenth year that the Brandeis Athlete of the Week program has been presented by The Chateau Restaurant Group. The Athlete of the Year Program highlights top Brandeis student-athletes who have had an outstanding athletic achievement in the week prior. Each selected student-athlete will be featured on the Brandeis athletics homepage and inside the Chateau Waltham and Jake n JOES
Owned and operated by the Nocera Family, the Chateau Restaurant of Waltham opened in 1933 and set the standard for providing the tradition of Italian family dining, friendly service, and quality food at reasonable prices for its customers. Located on 195 School Street, with 900 seats, the Chateau is always ready to accommodate large parties.
The Nocera Family consists of 6 brothers who have always had a passion for playing sports. In 2010, the Nocera Family launched a new concept, Jake n JOES Sports Grille. Jake n JOES Waltham opened in 2014 and is the best place to watch a game and enjoy quality food.
"Brandeis student-athletes are fantastic role models in our community,” says Chateau President Joe Nocera, “They exemplify the ideals of excellence and commitment both on and off the playing field. The Chateau Waltham and Jake n JOES Waltham are proud to partner with Brandeis Athletics to continue to enhance a positive focus within the Waltham Community."
Ertischek is a 2022 graduate of Lake Creek High School. For more information on Brandeis women’s volleyball visit their web page at https://brandeisjudges.com/sports/womens-volleyball.
Romo is a 2022 graduate of Cypress Bay High School. For more information on Brandeis men’s soccer, visit their web page at https://brandeisjudges.com/sports/mens-soccer.
For more information on Brandeis athletics, visit our web page at www.brandeisjudges.com or follow us on social media on X, Instagram and Facebook @BrandeisJudges.
