While the SMU Mustangs volleyball team, 10-5, (2-0 in American Athletic Conference play) and women’s soccer team, 6-4, (1-1 in AAC) have begun their 2013 campaign with a flurry of success, they’ve been helped in a major way by volleyball outside hitter Caroline Young and first-year soccer forward Kelsey Gorney.

Young won her second consecutive AAC player of the week award, becoming the first player in Conference history to do so, after her 17 kills and 15 digs against Rutgers in a 3-1 Mustangs’ win on Sunday.

Her performance was notable, considering she had helped SMU to its first conference victory on Friday against the University of Connecticut Huskies, sweeping them 3-0.

The junior from Brenham, Texas had another 15 kills against UConn, making her just one of two players in the AAC to average five kills per set in conference. Her team-best 194 kills overall places her in fifth for the conference at 3.46 per set.

Meanwhile, Gorney became the second player on the Mustangs to win a conference award, being named the AAC Rookie of the Week.

The recognition came after the Carrollton-native netted the game-winning goal for SMU on Sunday, as the team defeated conference opponent Temple, 1-0.

Gorney ranks second on the team in goals scored with five, including three game-winners, and also totals 11 points.

As American Athletic Conference play continues for the teams, both Young and Gorney will need to continue their mid-season form in order to give their respective groups the final push into the latter portion of the season.