FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, December 12, 2005

CONTACT: Ted Breidenthal 816/474-7264 tbreidenthal@d3independents.org www.d3independents.org

Association of Division III Independents
Names 2005 All-Independent Women’s Volleyball Teams

KANSAS CITY, MO.--- Senior outside hitter Sarah Morrill of Colorado College, who recently was named a third-team all-American by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, headlines the All-Independent Women’s Volleyball teams named today by the Association of Division III Independents. 

A Davis, CA, native, Morrill was named the player of the year after she led the Tigers in kills per game (4.58) despite missing the final 10 matches after suffering a knee injury.  She posted 12 double-doubles (kills-digs) and was voted the AD3I Student-Athlete of the Month in September.  This season, Morrill became the first player in Colorado College history to eclipse 1,000 kills in a career. 

Colorado College head coach Rick Swan, who led the Tigers to a 21-9 record and an eighth consecutive trip to the NCAA Division III Women’s Volleyball Championship, was named the coach of the year.    

Chapman University freshman middle blocker Jillian Felger, who was named to the AVCA honorable mention team after leading the team in kills, hitting percentage and blocks, was named the AD3I rookie of the year.

The All-Independent Women’s Volleyball teams were selected by the women’s volleyball coaches from the Association of Division III Independents member schools.

First Team 

MB – Jillian Felger, Freshman, Chapman University

MB – Brina Mocsny, Senior, University of California, Santa Cruz

DS/Libero – Michelle Kuure, Senior, Finlandia University

OH – Sarah Morrill, Senior, Colorado College

OH – Anna Clithero, Freshman, Colorado College

OH – Briana Williford, Senior, University of California, Santa Cruz

S – Jenny Stephenson, Senior, Nebraska Wesleyan University

Second Team

MB – Stephanie Sczech, Senior, Chapman University

MB – (tie) Precious Jones, Junior, California State University, East Bay, and Taraja Laws, Junior, Newbury College

DS/Libero – Alyssa Chang, Sophomore, California State University, East Bay

OH – Sarah Kolstad, Junior, California State University, East Bay

OH – Alison Spitaleri, Senior, California State University, East Bay

OH – Mara Bray, Senior, Finlandia University

S – Sheila Babayan, Senior, Chapman University

Honorable Mention

MB – Amy Vanderkolk, Junior, Nebraska Wesleyan University

MB – Samantha Fisher, Sophomore, Finlandia University

DS/Libero – Linsey Thomsen, Sophomore, Nebraska Wesleyan University

OH – Timarie Bebee, Senior, Nebraska Wesleyan University

OH – Nicole Powers, Junior, Chapman University

OH – Taryn Hames, Junior, University of Dallas

S – Ashley Challinor, Senior, Newbury College

The Association of Division III Independents consists of 19 Division III independent institutions that have joined together to recognize student-athletes at independent institutions, and to provide exempted postseason championship competition in seven sports in 2005-06.  The Association 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 http://www.d3independents.org.

 

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