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Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Women's Volleyball Athlete of the Week
PSAC Women's Volleyball Western Division Athlete of the Week
Cassidy Snider, Clarion, Outside Hitter, Senior
Snider helped the Golden Eagles knock off the previously-undefeated-in-PSAC-play Gannon Golden Knights on Saturday, totaling a season- and career-high 31 kills in the five-set road win. She made Golden Eagles history in the process, breaking Clarion Sports Hall of Famer Melanie Bull's program record of 1,903 career kills with her 13th kill of the match, coming in the second set.
PSAC Women's Volleyball Western Division Defensive Athlete of the Week
Lauren VonderHaar, Slippery Rock, Middle Hitter, Junior
VonderHaar anchored Slippery Rock’s defensive efforts in a pair of crucial PSAC West wins last week over California (3-0) and Seton Hill (3-1). In two matches, VonderHaar averaged 5.5 blocks per match in addition to chipping in 5.0 kills on a .375 attack percentage offensively. The PSAC West’s second-leading blocker was a model of consistency last week as she collected five kills and six blocks over Seton Hill - which entered the match ranked second in the PSAC West Standings – followed by a five-kill, five-block effort in SRU’s sweep of the Vulcans.
PSAC Women's Volleyball Eastern Division Athlete of the Week
Kearstin Davis, Shippensburg, Setter ,Junior
Davis directed the Raider offense to a .205 hitting efficiency as the Raiders affirmed their hold on second place in the PSAC East with wins over Kutztown and ESU. She totaled 78 assists (11.1 per set), 20 digs (2.8 per set), six aces, three kills and two blocks. After a 41-assist, 13-dig effort against KU, Davis came back with a 37-assist, 7-dig, 4-ace effort against ESU to give the Raiders a single-season sweep over the Warriors. 41 percent of Davis's sets against ESU resulted in SU kills. With her performance, Davis became the sixth player in school history to surpass 3,000 career assists.
PSAC Women's Volleyball Eastern Division Defensive Athlete of the Week
Harli Zeitz, Shepherd, Libero / Defensive Specialist, Senior
Zeitz averaged 17 digs in a 2-0 week for the Rams. She had 24 digs in a five-set win over East Stroudsburg on Friday and added 10 digs in a three-set win over Kutztown on Saturday. She added eight assists and three aces on the week.
The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Volleyball Athletes of the Week
OFFENSIVE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Addison Wimmer, Central Oklahoma
Addison Wimmer has been named the Offensive Athlete of the Week for the second straight week after leading No. 13-ranked Central Oklahoma to wins over Central Missouri and Missouri Southern at Hamilton Field House in Edmond this weekend. The senior outside hitter totaled 26 kills in six sets, averaging 4.33 kills per set while hitting .323 with just six errors on 62 attacks for the week. Wimmer also added the rare assist and collected ten digs and three blocks on defense. Wimmer led the Bronchos with 17 kills on a .424 hitting percentage in the three-set win over the Jennies before adding nine kills in the 3-0 win over the Lions. This is Wimmer’s second total MIAA Offensive Athlete of the Week honor this season.
DEFENSIVE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Taylor Rottinghaus, Washburn
Taylor Rottinghaus recorded a pair of 20-plus dig matches as Washburn swept Northwest Missouri and Missouri Western at home to help the Ichabods stay unbeaten in Lee Arena this season. Rottinghaus and the Ichabods held both opponents to a .140 or lower team hitting percentage in the contests. Against No. 23-ranked Missouri Western, Rottinghaus registered 26 digs across three sets and added an ace as Washburn held the Griffons to a .103 hitting percentage in the match. She tallied 46 digs across six sets to lead the league through week nine with 7.66 digs per set.
SETTER OF THE WEEK: Peyton Neff, Nebraska Kearney
Peyton Neff helped the No. 5-ranked Lopers go undefeated at home for a second straight season as Nebraska Kearney swept Pittsburg State and Newman in their final regular-season matches at home. The fifth-year setter led the league with 14.5 assists per set while also adding 1.8 digs and 0.7 kills per set through six sets. As a team, the Lopers averaged 17.0 kills per set and posted a .302 hitting percentage over the weekend. This is Neff’s third MIAA Setter of the Week honor this season.
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
OFFENSE
Grace Schmedding, Fort Hays State
Schmedding notched a pair of double-doubles in two home wins for the Tigers last week, racking up 25 kills, 21 digs, one block, one service ace and one assist across seven sets. The freshman outside hitter averaged 3.57 kills and 3.00 digs per set while posting an attack percentage of .351. Schmedding recorded 11 kills and 11 digs in a 3-1 win over Newman before tallying 14 kills and 10 digs in a sweep against Pittsburg State.
Asha Regier, Nebraska Kearney
Regier led the Lopers offensive with 3.83 kills per set while hitting .346 percent in Nebraska Kearney’s straight sweeps over Pittsburg State and Newman.
DEFENSE
Ashlyn Reeves, Fort Hays State
Reeves accumulated eight blocks and 15 kills in a pair of home victories for the Tigers over the weekend, averaging 1.14 blocks, 2.14 kills and 2.86 points per set while posting a .389 attack percentage. The sophomore middle hitter recorded just one attack error on 36 swings over seven sets. Reeves accumulated six blocks, including two solo rejections, while adding 11 kills in the win over Newman.
Lauren Taubenheim, Nebraska Kearney
Taubenheim led the Lopers defense with 1.17 blocks per set and 3.33 digs per set to help Nebraska Kearney sweep Pittsburg State and Newman and home. She also added 2.50 kills per set on offense.
SETTER
Caiya Stucky, Fort Hays State
Stucky helped the Tigers to a pair of home victories this week after tossing up 80 assists over seven sets, averaging 11.4 assists per set. The junior also contributed five kills, 12 digs, four blocks and one service ace. She totaled 47 assists and four kills in a win over Newman before distributing 33 assists in a sweep over Pittsburg State.
Lindsey Houran, Central Oklahoma
Houran set the attack for No. 13 Central Oklahoma's back-to-back sweeps of Central Missouri and Missouri Southern in Edmond this weekend. Houran dished out 65 assists in six sets for an average of 10.83 per set. The junior shared 36 assists in the win over UCM, then had 27 assists against Southern. She added two service aces and two kills for the offense and collected 22 digs for 3.67 digs per set on defense.
ALSO NOMINATED
OFFENSE: Alex Dvorak (Washburn), Taylor Russell (Missouri Western)
DEFENSE: Katie Le (Central Oklahoma), Emma Salker (Missouri Western)
SETTER: Corinna McMullen (Washburn), Nessa Johnson (Missouri Western
2024 MIAA VOLLEYBALL ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
WEEK ONE:
Offensive – Mia Berg, Nebraska Kearney
Defensive – Katie Le, Central Oklahoma
Setter – Peyton Neff, Nebraska Kearney
WEEK TWO:
Offensive – Sydney Huck, Central Oklahoma
Defensive – Kyah Luhring, Northwest Missouri
Setter – Lindsey Houran, Central Oklahoma
WEEK THREE:
Offensive – Rayishon Jackman, Emporia State
Defensive – Taylor Rottinghaus, Washburn
Setter – Peyton Neff, Nebraska Kearney
WEEK FOUR:
Offensive – Taylor Russell, Missouri Western
Defensive – Alli Wiese, Nebraska Kearney
Setter – Nessa Johnson, Missouri Western
WEEK FIVE:
Offensive – Weronika Wrzesinska, Emporia State
Defensive – Alli Wiese, Nebraska Kearney
Setter – Brailee Bogle, Emporia State
WEEK SIX:
Offensive – Emilee Lane, Nebraska Kearney
Defensive – Kyah Luhring, Northwest Missouri
Setter – Nessa Johnson, Missouri Western
WEEK SEVEN:
Offensive – Sydney Huck, Central Oklahoma
Defensive – Katie Le, Central Oklahoma
Setter – Lindsey Houran, Central Oklahoma
WEEK EIGHT:
Offensive – Addison Wimmer, Central Oklahoma
Defensive – Lily Kurz, Missouri Western
Setter – Nessa Johnson, Missouri Western
WEEK NINE:
Offensive – Addison Wimmer, Central Oklahoma
Defensive – Taylor Rottinghaus, Washburn
Setter – Peyton Neff, Nebraska Kearney
The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association announced its preseason coaches poll for the 2024 volleyball season.
The MIAA head coaches selected the defending MIAA champion Central Missouri to finish at the top of the league again this season.
It was a close battle for the top spot in the 2024 MIAA Volleyball Coaches Preseason Poll with four different teams receiving first-place selections. The Jennies led the way with five first-place votes and 113 total points.
Central Missouri finished its 2023 campaign with an overall record of 26-8, 18-2 in the league and the regular season title. The Jennies went on to win the league’s tournament crown advanced to the NCAA Central Region Championship where they bowed out in a 3-1 loss to top-ranked Concordia-St. Paul in a regional semifinal match.
Central Oklahoma landed in the No. 2 spot in the coaches poll with 110 points and three first-place votes. The Bronchos finished second in the league standings last season with a conference record of 17-3.
Nebraska Kearney grabbed three first-place picks placing them in No. 3 spot in the poll with 106 points. The Lopers finished third in the MIAA last season and battled the Jennies in the league’s tournament championship match. Nebraska Kearney also advanced to the NCAA postseason, falling to Wayne State 3-2 in the regional semifinals. The Lopers ended the 2023 season 16-4 in the MIAA and 29-6 overall.
Washburn picked up the final first-place vote and 90 points for the No. 4 spot.
Missouri Western concluded the coaches’ top five with 81 points.
Northwest Missouri was tabbed No. 6, Arkansas-Fort Smith was selected No. 7 spot in their first-ever MIAA preseason poll. Arkansas-Fort Smith went 22-8 overall and 12-4 in the Lone Star Conference (LSC) last season.
Missouri Southern landed in the No. 8 in the poll, followed by Emporia State, Pittsburg State, Fort Hays State and Newman.
The 2024 MIAA volleyball season officially begins Thursday, September 5, with conference contests beginning Friday, September 27. The 2024 MIAA Volleyball Championship is scheduled for November 21-23 at the Civic Arena in St. Joseph, Mo.
2024 MIAA VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Central Missouri [5] – 113 points
2. Central Oklahoma [3] – 110 points
3. Nebraska Kearney [3] – 106 points
4. Washburn [1] – 90 points
5. Missouri Western – 81 points
6. Northwest Missouri – 68 points
7. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 62 points
8. Missouri Southern – 49 points
9. Emporia State – 39 points
10. Pittsburg State – 35 points
11. Fort Hays State – 28 points
12. Newman – 11 points
[#] - Number of First-Place Votes
Shippensburg University and Gannon University picked as preseason favorites in the 2024 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Women’s Volleyball Preseason Polls, as voted on by the conference’s coaches.
Eastern Division
The Shippensburg Raiders were voted No. 1 in the 2024 PSAC Eastern Division Women’s Volleyball Preseason Poll and tallied five first-place votes. The team’s 23 wins last fall were the most in the East, and its 13-1 conference record tied East Stroudsburg for the best mark in the division. The Raiders return reigning Freshman of the Year Gracen Nutt (328 kills in 2023) as well as All-PSAC First Team setter Kearstin Davis and Second Team honoree Maddie Clabaugh.
The No. 2 team in the 2024 East poll is the Shepherd Rams, who finished 2023 with a conference record of 9-5. Outside hitter and All-PSAC Second Team honoree Jordan Pryor is back to help guide a team that ranked fourth in hitting percentage (.200) and third in total blocks (240) in the conference.
The East Stroudsburg Warriors are No. 3 in this year’s poll and received a pair of first-place votes. ESU was 22-7 overall and 13-1 in PSAC play and returns a couple of talented players, including East Athlete of the Year Anna Coulter (who had a conference-best hitting percentage of .407) as well as fellow All-PSAC First Team setter Taylor Haan. The Warriors also ranked first in the PSAC in opponent hitting percentage at a .133 mark.
West Chester, the No. 4 team in the poll, finished 2023 with a 13-14 overall record and ranked eighth in the conference in points with 15.45 per set.
No. 5 Lock Haven, No. 6 Bloomsburg, No. 7 Kutztown, and No. 8 Millersville complete the remainder of the 2024 East poll.
Western Division
The Gannon Golden Knights sit atop the 2024 PSAC West Division Preseason Poll for the second consecutive season after collecting six first-place votes. The team finished 2023 with a record of 27-5 (14-2 PSAC) and are the defending conference champions after winning a grueling five-set title match against Clarion. Gannon returns All-Conference honorees Journey Blevins, Hailey Koch, and Emma Hall to a squad that ranked third in opponent hitting percentage (.150), second in kills (13.04), first in hitting percentage (.233), and second in blocks (286).
The No. 2 team in the 2024 West Poll, Clarion (28-7 overall, 13-3 in conference play), was the last PSAC team standing in 2023 and advanced all the way to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight. The Golden Eagles will have to work in a new setter after the departure of three-time All-Conference honoree London Fuller but return PSAC West Athlete of the Year Cassidy Snider (who led the PSAC in kills with 601 and points with 668.5). Clarion was third-best in the conference in hitting percentage at a .225 clip and ranked first in assists with 12.3 per set.
The IUP Crimson Hawks were voted the No. 3 team in the West poll and collected a pair of first-place votes. IUP took down Gannon in the NCAA Atlantic Region tournament in a five-set battle and fell to Clarion in the Atlantic Regional final. Veteran talent is back for IUP that includes West Defensive Player of the Year Lauren Valentic (who led the PSAC in blocks with 172) and right side Nyla Birch, an All-PSAC First Team honoree. The Crimson Hawks were second-best in the PSAC in opponent hitting percentage at .138 and only allowed 10.79 kills per set, also the second-best mark in the conference.
The No. 4 team in the West’s preseason poll, Pitt-Johnstown, earned a 19-12 record (9-7 PSAC) last season. The Mountain Cats return many of the players from that 2023 team, including all three All-PSAC players: First Teamer Lualis Alvarado and Second Team honoreers Adiamar Beaz and Mallory Pinske. Also back is Gabi DeRenzo, who led the PSAC in total digs with 625.
No. 5 Edinboro, No. 6 Seton Hill, No. 7 Slippery Rock, and No. 8 California round out the rest of the 2024 West poll.
The 2024 PSAC women’s volleyball season kicks off in full on Friday, September 6.