AVCA All-Region Teams
LEXINGTON, Ky. - The American Volleyball Coaches Association has announced that Southwest Minnesota State middle blocker
Devin Diedrich has been named All-Central Region, while
Mary Groth has picked up All-Central Region honorable mention and Central Region Freshman of the Year honors.
Diedrich, a native of Braham, Minn., picked up AVCA All-Region honors for the second straight season. The sophomore was also named All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference earlier this season and grabbed NSIC Offensive Player of the Week honors twice. She also landed on the Augustana Invite and Colorado Premier Challenge all-tournament teams. Diedrich finished the 2009 season with a team-best 481 kills (4.08/set) and 91.0 blocks (0.77/set). She also led the conference in kills with 284 (4.18/set).
Groth, a native of West Bend, Wis., adds to an already impressive list of accolades earned during her rookie campaign. The freshman was named All-NSIC and NSIC Freshman of the Year earlier this season. She was also tabbed NSIC Offensive Player of the Week twice and landed on the Augustana Invite All-Tournament Team. Groth finished second on the team in kills with 359 (3.49/set) and blocks with 64 (0.62/set). Her Central Region Freshman of the Year accolade marks the second straight season SMSU has had a player earn the award as Diedrich captured the same honor in 2008.
SMSU finished the 2009 season 25-8 (15-5 NSIC) and made its sixth straight and seventh overall NCAA tournament appearance.
Central Region
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Amanda Beekman
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Minnesota State, Mankato
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OH
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Jr.
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Megan Carlson
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Concordia University, St. Paul
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RS/Opp.
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So.
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Gabe Curtis
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Metropolitan State College
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S
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Sr.
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Devin Diedrich
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Southwest Minnesota State
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MB
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So.
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Jennifer Hetner
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Wayne State College (Neb.)
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MB
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Jr.
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Eleena Iisakka
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Minnesota Duluth
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S
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So.
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Sadie Kessler
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Concordia University, St. Paul
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RS/Opp.
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Sr.
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Maggie McNamara****
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Concordia University, St. Paul
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S
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Sr.
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Bri Morley
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Metropolitan State College
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OH
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So.
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Alyssa Nelson
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Minnesota Duluth
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MB
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Jr.
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Emily Palkert***
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Concordia University, St. Paul
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MB
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Jr.
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Nikki Scott
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Nebraska-Kearney
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MB
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Sr.
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Mary Slinger**
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Concordia University, St. Paul
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DS/Lib.
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Sr.
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Brittany Stamer
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Minnesota State, Mankato
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S
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So.
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Region Freshman of the Year:
Mary Groth, Southwest Minnesota State, MB
Honorable Mention:
Mary Groth (Southwest Minnesota State, MB, Fr.), Cassie Haag (Concordia-St. Paul, MB, Fr.), Laura Tvrdik (Minnesota State Moorhead, RS/Opp., Jr.), Darcy Jennings-Calkins (Adams State, MB, Sr.), Cola Svec (Nebraska-Kearney, S, Jr.), Jen Walkowiak (Nebraska-Kearney, MB, Jr.)