ST. PETER, Minn. – Volleyball hitter Kate Holtan (Fy., Rochester, Minn.) and men’s soccer forward Arthur Parens (Jr., Wayzata, Minn.) have been selected as the Gustavus Adolphus College October Female and Male Student-Athletes-of-the-Month, presented by Thrivent Financial and voted on by the Gustavus Sports Information Department.
Kate Holtan
Volleyball
Hometown: Rochester, Minn.
High School: Rochester Mayo
Major: Undeclared
Parents: Doug and Betsie Holtan
In the month of October, the Gusties turned in an 8-3 record while Holtan helped guide the offense, compiling 149 kills to average 3.82 kills per set with a .245 attack percentage. The first-year standout played in all 39 sets and tallied double-digit kill totals in all but two matches along with five double-double performances, including four consecutive from Oct. 21-31 and a season-high 20 kills at Saint Benedict Oct. 21. After a sweep over St. Olaf and three wins at the Warburg College Invitational Oct. 4-7, Holtan received her second Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference hitter of the week accolade of the season, registering 55 kills in four matches. In the regular season finale versus Saint Mary’s, Holtan notched 14 kills registering the most kills ever by a Gustie first-year with 317, passing Olivia Warren’s freshman record of 308 kills in a season set in 2008. During the regular season, Holtan led all newcomers in the conference with 3.27 kills per set and recorded six double-doubles along with a .252 attack percentage and 21 aces, earning the MIAC Rookie of the Year award and All-Conference honors.
Arthur Parens
Men’s Soccer
Hometown: Wayzata, Minn.
High School: Wayzata
Major: Management
Parents: Karl Parens and Sabina Thatcher
The Gustie men’s soccer team posted a 6-1 record during the month of October, finishing the regular season with a 7-3 conference record to finish second in the MIAC standings, led heavily by the offensive threat of Arthur Parens. Despite missing the final two games after suffering an unfortunate season-ending injury, the Gusties’ top scorer started in six games in October and recorded six goals and one assist for a total of 13 points to go along with 26 shots (15 on goal), and two game-winners. On Oct. 3 at Presentation College, Parens led the team with a hat-trick performance, the first Gustie to do so since 2011. Finishing the season with 27 points (12g-3a), Parens was the second-leading scorer in the conference with his 27 points being the most by a Gustie since All-American Zach Brown compiled 29 in 2014.