WALTHAM, Mass. -- Seniors Anna Ertischek of Montgomery, Texas, from the women’s volleyball team and Rainer Osselmann-Chai of Acton, Massachusetts, and the men’s soccer team have been named the Brandeis University Athletes of the Week for the week ending September 1, the first awards of the 2025-26 academic year. The Brandeis Athlete of the Week program is presented by The Chateau Restaurant and Jake n JOES Sports Grille.
Ertischek helped the Brandeis volleyball team to a 2-1 start at the 2025 Brandeis Invitational. She averaged 4.00 kills per set, totalling 44 in 11 sets. Ertischek had at least 10 kills in each match, leading the team with 15 in a four-set defeat to Regis College, 16 in a four-set win over Roger Williams and 13 in a sweep of Wentworth. Ertischek had a .279 hitting percentage for the week, hitting above .350 in the matches against Regis and Wentworth. She also finished second on the team with seven blocks on the week (one solo).
Having since posted a 3-0 win over UMass Boston on Wednesday evening, Ertischek and the Judges meet #8 MIT and Connecticut College over the weekend at the MIT Invitational.
Osselmann-Chai helped the men’s soccer squad to a 2-0 start with road wins over Coast Guard and Suffolk. In a 1-0 win over the Bears on Friday evening, he buried a penalty kick in the 81st minute to break a scoreless game. It was his eighth career goal and third career PK. Although he did not factor in the scoring of a 2-1 win over the Rams on Sunday, he was consistently the best player in the midfield for the Judges.
Brandeis men’s soccer will meet Regis College this Saturday at 4 p.m. in their home opener.
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
Osselmann-Chai is a 2022 graduate of Acton-Boxborough Regional 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.
