TRAFFORD, Pa. (Jan. 27) -- Thiel College freshman outside hitter Ezra Oesterling (Shelocta, Pa./West Shamokin) was named the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Newcomer of the Week, the league office announced Monday afternoon.

Oesterling averaged 18.3 kills, eight digs and 1.3 aces while hitting .306 from the left pin as Thiel went 2-1 in the AMCC/PAC Crossover. 

Against Penn State Altoona Saturday, Oesterling posted a career- and match-high 24 kills, hit .362, dug six balls and served two aces as Thiel's reverse-sweep effort came up short in five. His 24 kills are the most by a freshman in all of NCAA volleyball this season and are tied for the second most in a match by a freshman in program history.

Later in the day Saturday, he logged his second career double-double with a match-leading 21 kills and a team- and career-best 14 digs as Thiel downed Penn State Behrend in five sets. Oesterling is now tied for the most 20-plus kill matches (three) by a freshman in team history. 

In a sweep of Hilbert Friday, he had a match-high 10 kills, hit .280 and dug four balls. 

Oesterling is currently 12th in Division III in kills (102) and 22nd in kills per set (3.78). He leads the PAC in both statistical categories.

The Shelocta, Pa. native has totaled at least 10 kills in all five matches on the season and has notched at least 20 kills three times.

Men's volleyball returns to action Tuesday for a 7 p.m. non-conference tilt at Mount Union.