Muhlenberg basketball senior Rachel Plotke and junior Brendan Hughes were recognized as members of the 2018 Lehigh Valley Small College Basketball Scholar-Athlete Team.
 
Plotke, a two-time All-CC honoree and team captain this season, is fifth in the Centennial Conference with 15.5 points per game and is second in three-point shooting (43.5 percent). She leads the league with 40 made three-pointers this season, and her 191 career triples sits second in Muhlenberg history and ninth on the CC all-time list.
 
Plotke has scored at least 20 points in four games this season and earned CC player of the week honors after scoring 20 points and tying her career high with six made three-pointers in a win over Elizabethtown. She is currently third in career three-point percentage among active NCAA Division III women's players.
 
A psychology major and a public health minor, Plotke has made the Dean's List all seven semesters and has twice been named to the CC Academic Honor Roll.
 
"Tremendous student, tremendous person," said women's head coach Ron Rohn. "Maybe the best pure shooter in Division III women's college basketball. She can make the dagger three when it's most important. Between her sophomore year and now when she's been healthy and in the starting lineup, we're 50-6. That says a lot about the kind of player she is. With all that, she's 10 times a better person. She's the perfect example to our young players on how a star player should act. Rachel's just one of those people you're happy to see every day, brightens up your day, always has a smile. It's been a pleasure to coach her."
 
Hughes, who has started all 12 games this season, leads the Mules with 25 made three-pointers and is second on the team with 17 steals. He averages 6.8 points per game and 1.7 rebounds per game, making 39.1 percent of his threes. He also has 16 assists, tied for third on the team.
 
A business administration major with a marketing concentration, Hughes has made the Dean's List each of the last three semesters.
 
"Brendan epitomizes what it means to be a good teammate," said men's head coach Kevin Hopkins. "Anything I've ever needed from him, he's been there, and he's been a great leader for us both on and off the court. He's one of the most positive, hard-working kids that we've had. He's got a good work ethic and is diligent in the classroom. It's been a pleasure to coach him and looking forward to more time with him in our program."