WORCESTER, Mass. - Worcester State University has claimed each of the first two Worcester Area College Basketball Association Player of the Week Awards of the 2018-19 season. Senior Kaitlyn Berkel (Waterford, Conn.) and sophomore Chris Cardoso (Jamaica Plain, Mass.) each received the award on the women's and men's sides respectively.

Berkel helped the Lancers advance to the Worcester City Tournament championship by averaging 12.5 points, 16 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game in a 1-1 week. She began her team’s 2018-19 campaign with a double-double of 13 points and 22 rebounds, while adding three blocks and two assists in a 58-49 win over Clark University. She would produce her second double-double of the season one day later with 12 points and 10 boards, while shooting 62.5 percent from the field in the 51-45 setback to WPI on Saturday. She was named to the All-Tournament Team for her impressive performances over the weekend.

The announcement is the second weekly honor in as many days for Berkel, as Monday she was named the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Week as well.

Cardoso averaged 13.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and two assists per game in a season-opening 1-1 week for the Lancers. He scored 12 points with 11 rebounds in a thrilling 87-81 Midnight Madness victory over Clark University before adding a double-double of 15 points and 10 boards in an 88-68 setback to Roger Williams University.

Berkel, Cardoso, and each of their respective teams are back in action with home games this week. The women's team plays Tuesday night in its home opener against Mount Holyoke, while the men's team hosts Baruch on Wednesday evening.

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