Women's Volleyball | 11/20/2019 2:48:47 PM

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The MIAA announced its 2019 postseason volleyball awards and All-MIAA teams. The co-players of the year were Nebraska Kearney’s Julianne Jackson and Washburn’s Genna Berg. Sydney Lierz of Central Missouri was tabbed as the freshman of the year. The coach of the year was awarded to Rick Squiers of Nebraska Kearney. 

Julianne Jackson was a six-rotation player for Nebraska Kearney this season. She finished the regular season with 249 kills and 365 digs, which both rank inside the top 20 for the MIAA. Jackson also served up 28 aces, the ninth-best in the Association. She also added 47 blocks, including 13 solo blocks. With Jackson’s help, the Lopers finished the regular season a perfect 30-0, 20-0 in conference matches.

Another six-rotation player, Genna Berg was key in helping Washburn to a 26-2 overall record and 18-2 MIAA record. She finished with 357 kills and 310 digs, both ranking in the top 20 for the Association. Berg ranked third in the MIAA with 33 aces and 0.35 aces per set in the regular season. She also tallied 55 blocks with six solo blocks at the net. 

The freshman of the award accolade belonged to Sydney Lierz of Central Missouri. Lierz finished 275 kills with 2.84 kills per set, both finished in the top 13 of the league. Defensively, she tallied 184 digs and 29 blocks. On the service line, Lierz dropped 14 aces and an average of 0.14 aces per set. She helped the Jennies to a 21-8 record and 15-5 record in the Association. 

Rick Squiers was voted as coach of the year by his coaching peers. Squiers guided the Lopers to an undefeated regular-season record and their fourth straight MIAA regular-season title. UNK led the MIAA in hitting percentage (.257), opponent hitting percentage (.108), assists per set (13.19), and digs per set (20.49). For Squiers, it is his 11th career conference coach of the year accolade. 

Below is the complete list of All-MIAA Awards and Teams. The 2019 MIAA Volleyball Championship begins on Thursday, November 21 at Hy-Vee Arena in Kansas City, Missouri. For more information on the championship, click here.

2019 All-MIAA Awards
Co-Players of the Year: Julianne Jackson, OH/RS - Nebraska Kearney & Genna Berg - Washburn, OH, RS
Freshman of the Year: Sydney Lierz, OH/RS - Central Missouri
Coach of the Year: Rick Squiers - Nebraska Kearney

First-Team
Audrey Fisher, OH/RS - Central Missouri
Sydney Lierz, OH/RS - Central Missouri
Ally Offerdahl, S - Central Missouri
Dominique Lipari, L - Central Oklahoma
Ali Tauchen, MB - Missouri Western
Julianne Jackson, OH/RS - Nebraska Kearney
Anna Squiers, MB - Nebraska Kearney
Maddie Squiers, S - Nebraska Kearney
MK Wolfe, OH/RS - Nebraska Kearney
Hallie Sidney, OH/RS - Northwest Missouri
Genna Berg, OH/RS - Washburn
Allison Maxwell, MB - Washburn
Faith Rottinghaus, L - Washburn
Allison Sadler, S - Washburn

Second-Team
Amanda Desch, S - Central Oklahoma
Courtney Lane, OH/RS - Central Oklahoma
Yuchen Du, OH/RS - Emporia State
Delaney Humm, OH/RS - Fort Hays State
Janelle Brehm, OH/RS - Missouri Southern
Morgan Nash, OH/RS - Missouri Southern
Tiana Butler, L - Missouri Western
Michaela Bartels, MB - Nebraska Kearney
Lindsay Nottlemann, L - Nebraska Kearney
Maddy Ahrens, S - Northwest Missouri
Morgan Lewis, MB - Northwest Missouri
Morgan Henning, MB - Pittsburg State
Kelsey Gordon, MB - Washburn
Erica Montgomery, OH/RS - Washburn

Honorable Mentions

Central Missouri: Aubree Bell - OH/RS, Hannah Engelken - MB, Rylee Neigenfind - OH/RS, Abby Skrastins - L, Hannah VanBuskirk - OH/RS

Central Oklahoma: Lauren Jenkins - OH/RS, Malia Kaaiohelo - MB

Emporia State: Aliyah Bernard - MB, Emma Dixon - S

Fort Hays State: Tatum Bartels - MB, Isabelle Reynolds - OH/RS

Missouri Southern: Alicia Pickett - MB

Missouri Western: Sam Duncan - OH/RS, Danielle Moje - MB, Lauren Murphy - S, Allie Kerns - OH/RS

Newman: Trinity Conley - OH/RS

Northwest Missouri: Bethany Elkins - MB, Hannah Koechl - L, Rachel Sturdevant - OH/RS

Pittsburg State: Marissa Bates - L, Erika Ivkov - OH/RS, Emily Regier - MB

Washburn: Taylor Antonwich - OH/RS