FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, December 5, 2006

CONTACT: Ted Breidenthal 816/474-7264, ext. 119 tbreidenthal@d3independents.org www.d3independents.org

Association of Division III Independents
Names 2006 All-Independent Women’s Volleyball Teams

KANSAS CITY, MO.--- Sophomore outside hitter Anna Clithero of Colorado College, who recently was named to the honorable mention All-America team by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, headlines the All-Independent Women’s Volleyball teams named today by the Association of Division III Independents. 

 

A West Linn, OR, native, Clithero was named the player of the year after she led the Tigers to a ninth straight NCAA tournament appearance and was selected to the first team All-West Region.  Clithero is only the second player in Colorado College history to record more than 400 kills and 400 digs in a single season.  She recorded double-figure kills in 26 matches and double-figure digs in 23 matches.  In all, Clithero posted 20 double-doubles (kills and digs).    

 

Newbury College head coach David Hildebrandt, who led the Nighthawks to a 23-14 record and the school’s first AD3I Northeast Regional Volleyball Championship (5-0), was named the coach of the year.    

 

Freshman libero Bailey Teeple of California State University, East Bay, was named the AD3I rookie of the year.  Teeple, a native of San Dimas, CA, recorded 533 digs and 60 service aces.  The Pioneers notched their 11th straight season with 20-plus victories and competed in the NCAA West Regional for the ninth consecutive 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 – Michelle Rybka, Junior, Colorado College

MB – Taraja Laws, Senior, Newbury College

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

OH – Anna Clithero, Sophomore, Colorado College

OH – Christina Chambers, Senior, Chapman University

OH – Kristen Cameron, Senior, California State University, East Bay

S – Meryn Grant, Junior, Colorado College

Second Team

MB – (tie) Jillian Felger, Sophomore, Chapman University; Lauren Powers, Senior, Meredith College; and Amy Vanderkolk, Senior, Nebraska Wesleyan University

DS/Libero – Bailey Teeple, Freshman, California State University, East Bay

OH – Allie Sowinski, Sophomore, Milwaukee School of Engineering

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

OH – Theresa Kouris, Senior, Mitchell College

S – Kirsten Foster, Freshman, Nebraska Wesleyan University

Honorable Mention

MB – Erica Davis, Freshman, University of Maine, Presque Isle

MB – Lindsey Carter, Freshman, Chapman University

DS/Libero – (tie) Theresa Narveson, Senior, Milwaukee School of Engineering; and Linda Ly, Freshman, Chapman University

OH – Jihan Spearman, Junior, University of California, Santa Cruz

OH – Kameron Moding, Freshman, Colorado College

OH – (tie) Andrea Nie, Senior, Clarke College; and Sheilah Jennings, Junior, University of Dallas

S – Daniela Morales, Sophomore, California State University, East Bay

 

The Association of Division III Independents consists of 25 Division III independent institutions that have joined together to recognize student-athletes at independent institutions, and to provide exempted postseason championship competition in nine sports in 2006-07.  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.