2021-2022 MIAA Women's Basketball Athletes of the Week: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association announced its sixth MIAA Women’s Basketball Athlete of the Week for the 2021-22 season.
 
MIAA Women’s Basketball Athlete of the Week – Nija Collier – Central Missouri   
Nija Collier helped the Jennies go a perfect 3-0 record on the week, averaging a team-high 25.7 points, 14.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. On the week, the Jennies senior forward compiled an impressive 77 points, 42 rebounds, four assists and four blocks in 112:07 minutes played. Collier shot 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from three-point range and 82 percent at the free-throw line in her three contests. Collier posted double-doubles in every game with 25 points and 12 rebounds against Northwest Missouri, 27 points and 12 rebounds at Missouri Southern, and 25 points with 18 rebounds at Pittsburg State. She now has 10 double-doubles on the season. Collier shot at least 50 percent from the field in two of her three games, and went at least 45 percent or better in all three contests.
 
Notable Performances
Olivia Hollenbeck – Fort Hays State
Olivia Hollenbeck led the Tigers in points, rebounds, blocks and steals in a pair of home wins over Central Oklahoma and Newman. The second-year freshman recorded her first double-double of the year against the Bronchos, totaling 12 points and 10 rebounds while blocking two shots. The forward was perfect on the offensive end against the Jets, hitting 8-of-8 from the floor and 5-of-5 from the free-throw line for a team-high 21 points. She also added a career-best four steals against Newman. For the week, Hollenbeck averaged 16.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game while hitting 73.3 percent from the floor (11-of-15).
 
Elisa Backes – Nebraska Kearney
Elisa Backes helped the No. 12 Lopers push their win streak to nine games by averaging 18 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game. The junior forward went for a season-best 23 points in a win 72-64 win over Central Oklahoma, finishing 5-of-9 from behind the arc. Two days earlier she went 6-of-12 from the field in UNK’s 81-48 victory ober Newman.
 
Also Nominated
Mallory McConkey – Northwest Missouri, Abby Oliver – Washburn, Grace Pyle – Pittsburg State, Madi Stokes – Missouri Southern