Southwest Baptist University

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- SBU sophomore Ashley Jurgensmeyer was named to the All-MIAA Second Team, while senior Kelsey Stewart and freshman Alex Smith were named All-MIAA Honorable Mention. 

Jurgensmeyer, a middle hitter from Osceola, Mo., led the Bearcats with 397 kills, third-most in the conference. Jurgensmeyer has been SBU's leader in kills for two straight seasons, and ranks eighth on SBU's career kills list after just her sophomore season. She is also the team leader in blocks for the second consecutive season, with 127. Jurgensmeyer averaged 0.91 blocks per set, good for seventh-most overall in the MIAA, and her 266 career blocks ranks her sixth all time for SBU.

"Ashley did a great job for us. It was exciting to see her move up after making All-MIAA Third Team last year," said head coach Kelly Richardson. "In the MIAA, you definitely need a strong middle presence and she brought that to our team."

Kelsey Stewart and Alex Smith both had successful seasons for SBU as well, with both outside hitters recording over 300 kills (320 for Stewart, and 374 for Smith). Smith became the first Bearcat to collect over 300 kills and 300 digs in the same season since 2002. Stewart finished her four-year Bearcat career ranked third on the SBU all-time kills list with 946. Stewart also had 26 service aces this season, leading the Bearcats for the third consecutive season.

"Alex and Kelsey brought a solid outside to our floor," added Richardson. "Kelsey did a good job playing multiple positions and was a versatile player on the front row. She worked very hard during her four years and we're glad she was honored for her senior season. Alex is a great example for freshman for any program. She was consistent on the front and back row. It's exciting to find a six rotation player who is a physical and vocal leader at a young age."

The all-MIAA selections were made by the league's 11 head coaches, and coaches were not permitted to vote for their own players.

2009 ALL-MIAA VOLLEYBALL TEAM

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Pamela Cartagena, Sr., OH, Pittsburg State

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Megan Sharpe, MH, Truman

COACH OF THE YEAR
Flip Piontek, Central Missouri

FIRST TEAM
OH: Arica Shepard, Sr., Emporia State** [r1][r1]
OH: Pamela Cartagena, Sr., Pittsburg State** [r1][r1][r1]
RH/OH: Brittney Miller, Jr., Emporia State
MH: Ellen Thommes, Sr., Nebraska- Omaha
MH: Mollie Lacy, So., Washburn
S: Caitlin Pankratz, Sr., Central Missouri
S: Kate Hampson, Sr., Washburn
L: Rachel Fister, Jr., Central Missouri [r1]

**Unanimous Selection
[r1] -  Repeat first team selection from last season
[r1][r1] -  Repeat first team selection from the last two seasons
[r1][r1][r1] -  Repeat first team selection from the last three seasons

SECOND TEAM
OH: Allie Huffman, So., Central Missouri
OH/MH: Lilian Rezende, Sr., Fort Hays State
OH: Corrinne Stringer, So., Pittsburg State
MH: Paula Harris, So., Central Missouri
MH: Ashley Jurgensmeyer, So., Southwest Baptist
MH: Megan Sharpe, Fr., Truman
RH: Lauren Graybeal, Sr., Truman
RH: Breanna Lewis, So., Washburn
S: Ting Liu, Jr., Emporia State
S: Emily Vosseler, Sr., Pittsburg State
L: Angie Reicks, So., Nebraska- Omaha

[Note: Ties in voting created three additional spots]

THIRD TEAM
OH: Renee Rheinecker, Fr., Missouri Southern
OH: Ashley Shepard, Jr., Washburn
MH: Bradye Peniston, Fr., Central Missouri
MH/RH: Lizzy Mach, So., Nebraska- Omaha
MH: Sara Falcone, Jr., Northwest Missouri
RH: Abby Gruenbacher, Jr., Central Missouri
S: Emily Myers, So., Nebraska- Omaha
L: Cassie Wilson, Jr., Pittsburg State
L: Casey Bruno, Jr., Truman

[Note: Ties in voting created an additional spot]

HONORABLE MENTION
OH: Katelyn Schmidtberger, Fr., Emporia State
OH: Jeanna Feldmann, Jr., Missouri Southern
OH: Kelli Sicner, Jr., Missouri Western
OH: Alex Smith, Fr., Southwest Baptist
OH: Kelsey Stewart, Sr., Southwest Baptist
MH: Brianne Boner, Jr., Emporia State
MH: Molly Bergkamp, Jr., Pittsburg State
MH: Brooke Fay, Fr., Pittsburg State
RH: Lidia Karnopp, Sr., Fort Hays State
RH: Erin Hattey, Sr., Truman
S: Laira Akin, So., Northwest Missouri
S: Ashley Petak, Jr., Truman
L: Amy Byfield, Sr., Emporia State
L: Paige Spangenberg, Jr., Northwest Missouri
L: Molly Smith, Jr., Washburn