WALTHAM, Mass. – Junior
Lara Verstovsek of the women’s volleyball team and junior
Quintin Wrabley of the men’s soccer team have been named the first Brandeis University Athletes of the Week for the 2023-24 season. The award is presented weekly by the Chateau Restaurant Group.
Verstovsek, of
Houston, Texas, helped the Brandeis volleyball team get off to a 4-1 start this season. Verstovsek leads the Judges with 84 points in their five matches, with a team-high 69 kills. She ranks second in the competitive University Athletic Association (UAA) with 3.45 kills per set and 4.2 points per set. She also leads the team and ranks eighth in the UAA with 11 service aces. Defensively, Verstovsek also ranks second on the team with 51 digs and third with eight blocks. Verstovsek ranks among the top 100 in Division III in points and kills per set, at 65
th and 93
rd, respectively.
Verstovsek has posted double-doubles in three of her five matches, including 18 kills and 16 digs in a 3-1 win over UMass Dartmouth. She also notched a season-high 19 kills in a 3-1 win over WPI. The Judges won their first four matches before falling to Williams College, just outside of the AVCA Top 25, on Saturday afternoon, 3-1.
The Judges return to action this week with a home match against Babson Tuesday night and a road contest at Clark on Thursday, each at 6 p.m.
Wrabley, of
Malvern, Pennsylvania, moved into the starting goalkeeper role for the men’s soccer team. He accumulated two shutouts in the team’s first three games, posting a 1-1-1 record. He had two saves in the team’s 0-0 draw at home with Western New England University to open the season, then made five stops in a 3-0 win over Eastern Connecticut State on the road for his first collegiate victory. Wrabley made four saves in a losing effort of 1-0 contest at WPI.
Wrabley’s 11 total saves are tied for second in the UAA, while his .917 save percentage is second and his 0.33 goals-against average ranks third.
The Judges return to action on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. at Bridgewater State University. They also host Wesleyan University Sunday at 1 p.m.
This is the eighth year that the Brandeis Athlete of the Week program has been presented by The Chateau Restaurant Group. The Athlete of the Year Program highlights a top Brandeis student-athlete who has had an outstanding athletic achievement from 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."
Verstovsek is a 2021 graduate of Episcopal High School. For more information on Brandeis women’s volleyball, visit their web page at
https://brandeisjudges.com/sports/womens-volleyball.
Wrabley is a 2021 graduate of Great Valley 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 Twitter/X, Instagram and Facebook @BrandeisJudges.
