BUFFALO, NY – Malachi Jackson (Buffalo, NY/Cheektowaga) of the Buffalo State men's volleyball team and Izzy Pezdek (Lancaster, NY/Grand Island) of the Buffalo State softball team have been named Bengal Athletes of the Week presented by UBMD Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine.
 
Jackson, senior criminal justice major, was crucial in the Bengals first ever AMCC Championship as they defeated Mount Aloysius in the semifinals and Penn State Behrend in the championship. Against the Mounties, Jackson tallied 17 kills and a .750 attack percentage including six digs and a pair of blocks. In the championship against the Lions, Jackson added another 19 kills with a .455 attack percentage, four digs, a block, and was named to the AMCC All-Tournament Team.
 
The men's volleyball team returns to action on Thursday as they will battle Baruch in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
 
Pezdek, a sophomore psychology major, was impressive on the mound and at the plate to help the Bengals go 6-0 to open conference play. Pezdek went 3-1 on the mound with a 0.64 ERA, 18 strikeouts, and a 0.91 WHIP across 22.0 innings pitched. Her best showing came on Saturday against Plattsburgh where she went 6.1 innings of relief allowing just three hits and striking out five. Pezdek also did damage at the plate hitting .333 with two homers, two doubles, and six RBI.
 
The softball team returns to action on Thursday as they will travel to Oswego for another SUNYAC matchup.