WHAC reveals 2024 volleyball postseason awards

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference released the 2024 women's volleyball awards on Thursday with seven Defiance College student-athletes recognized for athletic and academic achievements. The conference released their All-Conference Teams, players and coaches of the year, Champions of Character Team, and All-Academic Awards.

In the program's first season as a member of the WHAC, Defiance sophomore outside hitter Gabby Rodriguez (Alvordton, Ohio/Hilltop) was selected Second Team All-Conference for the institution's first all-conference recipient in any sport. Rodriguez quickly became one of the team's most consistent all-around players and finished second on the team with 282 kills (11th in the WHAC), led the team in attacks with 923, recorded the second-most points at 330 (12th in the WHAC), fourth-most digs with 236 and was second in blocks with 51. The sophomore transfer also logged the most kills in a match by any player this season with 19 and had a team-high 15 matches with double-digit kills.

Defiance was also represented on the WHAC All-Freshman team with first-year setter Kylie Anderson (Rome City, Ind./East Noble) recognized for her efforts on the court. Anderson primarily set during front-row rotations and recorded 366 assists on the year, which was second-most among WHAC freshmen and 14th overall in the league. She also dropped in 36 kills and 23 blocks. Anderson is the first DC volleyball player to be selected to an All-Freshman team since 2018.

Each of the 13 institutions were represented on the Champions of Character Team of individuals who exemplify the five core values of the NAIA character initiative (integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership). Defiance's honoree from the volleyball team was junior setter Kirsten Vanisacker (Newport, Mich./Jefferson), who was also one of five Academic All-Conference selections.

The WHAC's All-Academic Team is made up of sophomores and above who have attended the institution for one full year with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 and higher. In addition to Vanisacker, DC's Academic All-Conference student-athletes were sophomore Amina Chamoun (Sylvania,Ohio/Southview), senior Aliza Clark (Spring Hill, Tenn./Lawrence Central), sophomore Shelby Clements (Monrovia, Ind./Monrovia) and junior Jaelyn Tomoletz (Perry, Ohio/Perry). Vanisacker received her second Academic All-Conference honor while Chamoun, Clark, Clements and Tomoletz received their first academic award from the conference.

For the rest of the WHAC's All-Conference Awards, Aquinas swept the Player, Libero, Setter, Newcomer and Coach of the Year Awards following a perfect season in conference play and 36-1 record. Complete winners can be viewed here. 

The WHAC Tournament continues on Friday with the semifinals between Aquinas and Lawrence Tech along with Indiana Tech and Siena Heights, all played at Aquinas. The championship match will be held on Saturday at 2 p.m.

-JACKETS-