DICKINSON, N.D. - The Dakota Athletic Conference all-conference volleyball teams were announced Monday, and South Dakota School of Mines and Black Hills State each had a player win a postseason award.
Lady Hardrocker junior Jenny Hiykel was named the Libero of the Year and was also a first team all-conference selection.
Hiykel, who finished the season with 753 digs, was DAC Libero of the Week six times and NAIA Region III Libero of the Week on three occasions during the season.
"She is well deserving of the award," said Beth Honaker, coach of the conference runner-up South Dakota Mines squad. "That position is designed for just a person like Hiykel. She did a great job for us this year and we are going to need her even more next year."
Lady Yellow Jacket Maggie O'Neill was named Freshman of the Year. The Martin native was also a second team all-conference pick.
Mines landed three players on the second team: Rapid City's Jennie Malone, senior, right-side hitter; Tessa Howe, senior, setter; and Ashley Kauffman, junior, outside hitter.
Malone finished the season with 332 kills and Kauffman had 331. Howe dished out 1,151 set assists.
"I am pleased with all the selections and votes," Honaker added. "It is nice to see that Jennie Malone is being recognized for the athlete that she is. And Ashley and Tessa should be right up at the top for us next year as well."
Black Hills State had a first team all-conference player in sophomore middle hitter Kristen Engle, who is from Newcastle, Wyo. Sophomore setter Mandy Brumfield made the second team for the Jackets.
Conference champion Dickinson State had three first teamers, including Nancy Nyongesa. Nyongesa, an outside hitter from Bungoma, Kenya, was named the Most Valuable Player and the Most Valuable Senior. The Blue Hawks also had a pair of second team selections.
Dickinson (29-3) won the regular season conference title with a 14-0 record and then also came up victorious in the postseason tournament.
Black Hills State head coach Jhett Albers was Coach of the Year. The Yellow Jackets finished the season with a 22-5 record, including 11-3 in the DAC, before losing in the semifinals to South Dakota Mines.
