WASHINGTON - With a career performance in a win over Northwestern and two other strong showings in a 2-1 weekend for American University volleyball, junior Elise Sterling has been named the first AU Athletics Eagle of the Week for 2026-27. The Eagles took down Power Four opponents Northwestern and Virginia for their first two victories of the season.

Sterling posted a career-high 20 kills while hitting .455 in American's dramatic, 3-2 win over Northwestern in the Eagles' second match of the week. She followed it up with a team-high 12 kills in a 3-1 win at Virginia, hitting .391 and coming up with three blocks. For the week, she averaged 3.15 kills per set while totaling nine digs, seven blocks, and four service aces.

2026-27 Eagle of the Week