WALTHAM, Mass. – Junior
Anna Ertischek of
Montgomery, Texas, from the volleyball team and junior
Nico Beninda of
Monroe Township, New Jersey, and the men’s soccer team have been named the Brandeis University Athletes of the Week for the week ending September 8. The Brandeis Athlete of the Week program is presented by The Chateau Restaurant and Jake N Joes Bar and Grill.
Ertischek was named to the All-Tournament team of Skidmore Invitational over the weekend, where the Judges turned in a 2-1 record. They defeated Simmons College, 3-1, during the week in three sets, then swept host Skidmore and Williams at the tournament, while falling to Cortland State, 3-0.
Ertischek averaged 2.92 kills per set and had a .274 hitting percentage, both second-bets on the team. She had 12 kills each against Simmons and Skidmore and seven each against Cortland State and Williams. In the win over Skidmore, Ertischek set a Brandeis single-match record for hitting percentage, tallying her 12 kills on just 16 attempts without an error for a hitting percentage of .750. It’s tied for the best of any played in Division III this season with at least 15 attempts.
Brandeis is back in action on Wednesday evening on the road at nearby Lasell University at 6 p.m. before hosting the Brandeis Invitational this weekend against Westfield State, Bowdoin and Springfield.
Beninda guided the Brandeis men’s soccer team to a 3-2 win over Vassar College on Sept. 7. He had two first-half goals in the win for his first collegiate multi-goal game. Brandeis added a key insurance goal in the second half as the Brewers scored twice late to make things interesting. For his efforts, Beninda was named University Athletic Association Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career.
In the Judges’ most recent game, played on Sept. 10, Beninda added his third goal of the season in a 2-0 win over Bridgewater State. He scored in the 68
th minute to give the Judges some breathing room.
Beninda is tied for third in the UAA in goals and sixth in points. The Judges return to action on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. against Eastern Connecticut State University.
This is the ninth 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."
Ertischek is a 2022 graduate of Lake Creek High School. For more information on Brandeis volleyball, visit their web page at
https://brandeisjudges.com/sports/womens-volleyball.
Beninda is a 2022 graduate of Monroe Township 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.
