In five years at Hillsdale College, senior Karoline Shelton has put up some amazing numbers.
Her performance at the 2022 Midwest Regional Crossover, however, was impresive even by her standards. The 2021 All-American's huge weekend has caught the notice of the G-MAC office, which named her the conference's North Division Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season and the 10th time in her career on Monday.
Shelton was the best player on the court for the Chargers in all three matches over the weekend, leading Hillsdale in kills in every match and averaging 4.15 kills per set and 4.46 digs per set for the three matches. The senior tied her career high in kills with 22 against Lewis on Friday night, and had 15 of Hillsdale's 36 kills in a three-set sweep of Northern Michigan on Saturday.
As has been consistent throughout her career, Shelton played every part of the rotation and contributed across the floor, finishing with a double-double in all three matches. Her play helped her earn not only G-MAC recognition but also allowed her to make the All-Midwest Region Crossover team for the first time in her career, representing Hillsdale as one of seven G-MAC nominees to the team for the event.
With just a few weeks left in a storied career, Shelton is set to leave an outsized mark on the program. Her performance in the Crossover moved Shelton into fifth all-time in Charger history in career kills with 1,356, and in career digs with 1,496. Only one other player, Cassandra Cole, can claim to be in the top five in both categories in Hillsdale history.
Shelton and the Chargers will continue their quest for the G-MAC North Division crown in a busy, three-match week up next, starting with a road trip to Midland, Michigan on Tuesday night to take on Northwood at 7 p.m.
Photo by Anthony Lupi