Piachonkina Named Modern Woodmen Student-Athlete of the Week

SHERMAN, Texas - Austin College Athletics is excited to announce the Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial Student-Athlete of the Week, an award highlighting our great student-athletes on and off the field of play each week. This week's honoree is 'Roo women's water polo player Valery Piachonkina.

Piachonkina, a sophomore from Castro Valley, California, has been the Austin College women's water polo goalie for every game of the program's two-year history, and this week was named the Collegiate Water Polo Association Defensive Player of the Week after helping the 'Roos go 4-0 against a quartet of conference opponents. Piachonkina made 26 saves while limiting Austin College's opponents to just 25 goals in four games, including holding defending-CWPA champion Macalester to eight goals in a big victory. With Piachonkina in goal, the 'Roos climbed to a program-best No. 7 national ranking after their big weekend. This week's Defensive Player of the Week award is the third for Piachonkina, having won once in 2019 and a second time in February of this year.

Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial is proud to recognize and support the ongoing achievements of Austin College student-athletes. Their North Texas Region understands that the pursuit of excellence on and off the field creates a foundation for continued excellence after graduation. For more information about opportunities for careers and internships, go to MWAcareers.org.