Photo courtesy Rivier athletics.

Zach Hansen, a 6-1 setter for then-No. 14 Rivier College, has been named the Sports Imports/AVCA Division III Men’s National Player of the Week. Hansen’s 12.75 assists per game and two double-doubles led the Raiders to three wins last week against NECVA New England Division rivals, including an upset of then-No. 11 MIT.  Hansen began the week with a 33-assist, five-block performance against Wentworth, leading his team to .354 hitting and a sweep of the Leopards.  On Valentine’s Day, Hansen spread the love to his teammates with 55 assists, and added 12 digs and two blocks against MIT, as the Raiders won 3-1.  On Saturday, against the third NECVA New England team to have been ranked at least once this season, Newbury, Hansen’s 65 assists, 13 digs and three blocks helped the Raiders to a five-game win over the Nighthawks.  Along with the 12.75 assists per game, Hansen averaged over 2.42 digs and nearly one block per game in last week’s action.  Hansen’s honor marks the seventh time a Raiders player has earned Sports Imports/AVCA Division III Men’s National Player of the Week honors, with Zack Stedman earning the honor last, on January 22, 2007.  Rivier is coached by Craig Kolek.