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  

Amanda Beekman	Minnesota State, Mankato	OH	Jr.
Megan Carlson	Concordia University, St. Paul	RS/Opp.	So.
Gabe Curtis	Metropolitan State College	S	Sr.
Devin Diedrich	Southwest Minnesota State	MB	So.
Jennifer Hetner	Wayne State College (Neb.)	MB	Jr.
Eleena Iisakka	Minnesota Duluth	S	So.
Sadie Kessler	Concordia University, St. Paul	RS/Opp.	Sr.
Maggie McNamara****	Concordia University, St. Paul	S	Sr.
Bri Morley	Metropolitan State College	OH	So.
Alyssa Nelson	Minnesota Duluth	MB	Jr.
Emily Palkert***	Concordia University, St. Paul	MB	Jr.
Nikki Scott	Nebraska-Kearney	MB	Sr.
Mary Slinger**	Concordia University, St. Paul	DS/Lib.	Sr.
Brittany Stamer	Minnesota State, Mankato	S	So.

 
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.)