SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (September 22, 2025) – Rachel Critz from the Western New England women's volleyball team and Austin Pszczolkowski from the WNE football team have been named Golden Bear Athletes of the Week this week after a week of outstanding play on the court and the turf. 

Critz led Western New England women's volleyball to a 2-1 week on the hard court, including a weekend sweep over Mt. St. Mary (N.Y.) and the University of Southern Maine in sweep fashion, defeating both teams 3-0. To open the week, Critz slapped down ten kills in a four-set match against Westfield State University, attacking 21 times, hitting .333% for the match. Critz also made it challenging at the net for Westfield, coming up with five blocks for the match, one short of a season best. 

The Kingston, Massachusetts native shined during the weekend's tri-match at the University of Southern Maine, dropping seven kills to open the weekend against Mt. St. Mary's (N.Y.) without committing an attacking error, hitting .875% for the match. Critz also picked up four blocks for the Golden Bears to lead the blue and gold to a 3-0 match victory. Against the Huskies of Southern Maine, Critz impressed once again, dropping another seven kills, hitting .600% from the floor, and picking up a solo block in the win. Critz hit .602% from the floor for the week, collected 24 kills, and had ten total blocks at the net. 

Senior defensive lineman Austin Pszczolkowski helped hold Worcester State University to just 13 points over the weekend in Western New England's 48-13 victory over the Lancers. Pszczolkowski recorded one solo tackle and assisted on five others, totaling six tackles for the game. Pszczolkowski was part of the first sack of the season for the Golden Bears' defense for a loss of five yards. The WNE senior also collected two total tackles for loss for a loss of nine yards and picked up two quarterback hurries in the game overall. Pszczolkowski now has 18 tackles on the season, seven solo and 11 assisted.

Western New England women's volleyball is back in action on Wednesday, September 24, at 4:00 PM to take on Wentworth Institute of Technology at UMass-Boston. 

WNE football will also open up Conference of New England play this coming weekend, heading to the University of New England on Saturday, September 27 for a 1:00 PM kickoff.