Volleyball

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The Association of Division III Independents released its postseason All-Association volleyball teams this week, with four Mount Mary College representatives gracing the first and second teams.

Junior outside hitter Stephanie Hardwick (West Allis, Wis.) and senior setter Chelsie Beeler (Jackson, Wis.) both earned First Team honors, while sophomore middle hitter Beth Baxter (Germantown, Wis.) and sophomore outside hitter Sarah Wishau (Racine, Wis.) both took home Second Team nominations.

Hardwick, earning her second All-AD3I honors and second time on the First Team, led the team with 3.72 kills and 4.22 digs per set this season. Beeler, also a two-time All-AD3I First Team winner, led the Blue Angels with 7.46 assists per set, tops in the Association.  

Baxter, a newcomer to the Mount Mary program, earned Second Team honors as a middle hitter and led the Blue Angels in attack percentage (0.172) while tallying 1.80 kills and 2.76 digs per set. Wishau, despite sidelined with midseason knee surgery, garnered Second Team honors for the second season while averaging 2.61 kills 3.28 digs per set in 16 matches this season.

Nebraska Wesleyan's junior libero Mackenzie Hilte took home Player of the Year honors while St. Joseph's College's freshman middle blocker Lauren GaNun was named the AD3I Rookie of the Year. SJC's Kathleen O'Neal also garnered Coach of the Year honors this season.

All-Association of Division III Independents Volleyball Teams

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Mackenzie Hite, Jr., Nebraska Wesleyan

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Lauren GaNun, Fr., St. Joseph's College

COACH OF THE YEAR: Kathleen O'Neal, St. Joseph's College

FIRST TEAM
S – Chelsie Beeler, Sr., Mount Mary College
MH – Lauren GaNun, Fr., St. Joseph's College
MH – Helen Milne, Sr., UC-Santa Cruz
OH – Stephanie Hardwick, Jr., Mount Mary College
OH – Kim Matthews, Sr., St. Joseph's College
OH – Katelyn Walsh, So., Nebraska Wesleyan University
L/DS – Mackenzie Hilte, Jr., Nebraska Wesleyan University

SECOND TEAM
S – Sabrina Cornia, Jr., St. Joseph's College
MH – Bethany Baxter, So., Mount Mary College
MH – Karny Kuehl, So., Nebraska Wesleyan University
OH – Meghan King, So., College of New Rochelle
OH – Kim Rabii, So., UC-Santa Cruz
OH – Sarah Wishau, So., Mount Mary College
OH – Brierra Ruska, So., Finlandia University
L/DS – Jaime Weber, Sr., UC-Santa Cruz

HONORABLE MENTION
S – Kristina Nilaj, Sr., College of New Rochelle
MH – Emma Cole, Fr., Finlandia University
MH – Kellie Graves, Fr., UC-Santa Cruz
MH – Megan Moran, Jr., St. Joseph's College
OH – Cydney House, Fr., College of New Rochelle
OH – Nina Rogers, Jr., Mills College
OH – Hannah Softley, Sr., Nebraska Wesleyan University
OH – Elizabeth Trembley, Sr., UC-Santa Cruz

The Association of Division III Independents consists of 10 Division III independent institutions that have joined together to recognize student-athletes at independent institutions, and to provide exempted postseason championship competition. The Association also recognizes outstanding athletic achievements of its student-athletes on a weekly, monthly and annual basis. The Association provides statistical services for its members in seven sports. In addition it will announce All-Independent teams at the conclusion of eight other sports this year.

More information about the Association of Division III Independents is available at www.d3independents.org.