FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, December 7, 2007

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

Association of Division III Independents
Names 2007 All-Independent Women’s Volleyball Teams

 

KANSAS CITY, MO.--- Junior middle blocker Jillian Felger of Chapman University, who recently was named to the third team 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 Lakewood, Cal., native, Felger was named the player of the year after she led Chapman to a 16-10 record and set a bevy of school records.  She is the first two-time All-American in Chapman history.  She also was selected to the first team All-West Region after leading Chapman in kills, kills per game and total blocks, and after setting school records for hitting (.381) and single-match kills (29). 

 

California State University, East Bay, head coach Jim Spagle, who led the Pioneers to a 29-5 record and the school’s 10th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Volleyball Championship, was named the coach of the year.    

 

Freshman setter Kat Kowalski of Chapman University was named the AD3I rookie of the year.  Kowalski, a native of Glendora, CA, set a single-season school record (ranked 17th nationally) for assists per game (12.3).  She also ranked third on the team with 30 service aces.    

 

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 – Jill Felger, Junior, Chapman University

MB – Emma Buckley, Sophomore, Green Mountain College

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

OH – Jackie Randolph, Junior, California State University, East Bay

OH – Abby Bade, Junior, Nebraska Wesleyan University

OH – (tie) Kelly Paris, Junior, California State University, East Bay; and

                   Nikkie Powers, Senior, Chapman University

S – (tie) Alyssa Chang, Senior, California State University, East Bay;

               Kat Kowalski, Freshman, Chapman University; and

               Kirsten Foster, Sophomore, Nebraska Wesleyan University

Second Team

MB – Christine Tillman, Freshman, Salem College

MB – Jessica Juarez, Junior, California State University, East Bay

DS/Libero – Lauren Massa, Freshman, California State University, East Bay

OH – Sandra Karalekas, Sophomore, Newbury College

OH –Whitney Sorenson, Junior, Salem College

OH – Beverly Hazell, Senior, California State University, East Bay

S – Laura Peterson, Senior, Finlandia University

Honorable Mention

 

MB – Ally Tincknell, Sophomore, Finlandia University

MB – Ify Umeugo, Freshman, Green Mountain College

DS/Libero – Linda Ly, Sophomore, Chapman University

OH – Magdalena Wiecek, Senior, St. Joseph’s College (Brooklyn)

OH – Sheilah Jennings, Senior, University of Dallas

OH – Loke Davis, Junior, Mills College

S – Sarah Nelson, Sophomore, Newbury College

 

The Association of Division III Independents consists of 21 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 2007-08.  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.