The 2009 Northland College LumberJill Volleyball Team started the season by adding 9 freshmen to the 8 returners on the team. The season started a little slow with all the freshmen getting adjusted while everyone was learning the first year Coach Heidi Smith’s ways of doing things.
The Jills clicked at the perfect time, when conference matches began and finished 9-5 in the conference taking 3rd place, the highest in UMAC history, clenching a spot in the post season.
The LumberJills led the conference in Blocking and Service Aces. Senior, Chelsea Lundgren led the conference in blocking finishing with 150 blocks on the season. Senior, Miranda Reichert lead the conference in Service Aces with a total of 69. And Junior Laura Fisher led the conference in hitting percentage with a .305 and led the Jills in Kills with 288.
Our Banquet was held on November 14th and Team Awards were announced. Senior, Outside Hitter Melissa Anderson was awarded the team MVP due to her offensive and defensive contributions as well as her great leadership skills. She earned 282 Kills, 428 Digs and 55 Blocks this season.
Best Offensive Player of the Year went to Senior, Middle Chelsea Lundgren who earned her 1000th kill on Oct 30th and accumulated a total of 250 kills and 150 blocks.
Best Defensive Player of the Year went to Senior, Libero Miranda Reichert who tallied 563 Digs and 69 Service Aces this season.
Best Teammate of the Year went to freshman, Sam Stanfield who was always positive, gave 100% and loved being a part of the LumberJill Volleyball Team.
Tied for Most Improved were freshmen Emily Pudlo and Alaina Donovan. Both athletes increased their skills, consistency and aggressiveness throughout the season.
The Upper Midwest Athletic All-Conference Team included: Melissa Anderson and Laura Fisher with Chelsea Lundgren receiving honorable mention.
The LumberJill’s 4 seniors; Melissa Anderson, Alicia Wiebe, Miranda Reichert and Chelsea Lundgren will be impossible to replaced and greatly missed next year. They are a great group of athletes and leaders that we could not have accomplished our goals without.