Four Jackets Earn HCAC Postseason Honors

GREENWOOD, IND. -- Four members of the Defiance College volleyball team were recognized by the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference for their individual performances this past season.  [2016 All-HCAC Teams]

Freshman Emma Seitz (Toledo/Toledo Catholic Central) was recognized in two different award categories for her standout season. She was named All-HCAC and All-Freshman. Senior Makayla Dennis (Bryan) and junior Meredith Shank (Maumee/Springfield) were both tabbed honorable mention All-HCAC. In addition, Sophomore Marissa Windau (Castalia/Margaretta) was named to the All-Sportsmanship Team. 

Seitz had a standout freshman season with the Yellow Jackets playing in a total of 79 matches and recorded 176 kills with a .161 hitting percentage. Her 176 kills (2.23 kills per set) ranked third most on the team and her hitting percentage was second best. In addition, she recorded six assists offensively. Defensively, Seitz tied for fourth on the team in blocks with 30 total (nine solo blocks and 21 assisted) and also tallied 46 digs (0.58 digs per set). Her nine solo blocks were second most on the team. 

Dennis had a great four-year run at DC capped by her first All-HCAC award. As a senior, Dennis played in 94 sets and had a team-leading 538 digs (5.72 digs per set). She recorded 10 or more digs in all but one match this season, including a DC single-match record 39 digs against Anderson (Ind.) University.  A little over a week later, Dennis surpassed her own mark with a 43-dig effort in the match against Franklin.  In addition to her solid defensive stats, Dennis finished third on the team in service aces with 24 and second in set assists with 58.

For her career, Dennis played in 110 matches and 367 sets. She accumulated 1,047 total digs (2.85 d/s) and had 106 career aces. Her 106 aces sets the DC all-time career mark in the 25-point scoring era.  She surpasses former teammate Alicia Kalik '14 who owned the previous mark with 102. In addition, Dennis ends her career with 88 assists and 14 kills.

Shank earns her third straight All-HCAC honor and her second honorable mention selection. This season, Shank played in in all 25 matches and 94 sets.  Offensively, she led the team in kills with 252 (2.68 kills per set) and was fourth overall in hitting percentage at .146.  She had 10 or more kills in 14 matches, including a season-high 17 kills against Mount St. Joseph University.  Shank also recorded 16 aces and tallied nine assists.  On defense, she finished in a tie with Seitz for fourth on the team in blocks with 30 (five solo and 25 assisted). She also added 92 digs (0.98 d/s).   

In just her second season with the program, Windau played in all 25 matches and all 94 sets.  She was second on the team in kills with 199 (2.12 k/s) and third overall in hitting percentage at .160. She recorded 10 or more kills in six matches, including a season-high 13 kills in the season finale against Manchester (Ind.) University in the HCAC Tournament.  In addition, Windau led the team in aces this season with 35. Defensively, Windau recorded 89 digs (0.95 d/s). She was second on the team in total blocks with 48 (three solo and 45 assisted) and was second in assisted blocks (45).