Leah Jones named NSIC and AVCA Central Region Freshman of the Year SMSU outside hitter Leah Jones earned several awards for her outstanding rookie season for the Mustang volleyball team this fall as she was named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Central Region Freshman of the Year. Jones, a 6-foot-2 native of Marshall, is the seventh Mustang in program history to earn either NSIC Newcomer or NSIC Freshman of the Year accolades and the seventh to earn the AVCA Region Freshman of the Year honors. Jones, who was also named All-NSIC first team this fall, led SMSU with 327 kills, while hitting .218 on 998 attacks. She recorded 253 digs, 32 service aces, 28 blocks and 33 set assists. Jones has racked up doubledigit kills in a team-high 19 matches and recorded double-digit digs in nine matches.
Leah Jones, outside hitter
SMSU Athletics announces 2024 Hall of Honor inductees
SMSU Athletics announced this fall nine individuals and one community member and supporter of SMSU Athletics, Doug team have been selected for induction into the SMSU Athletics Fraunfelder. Also inducted will be the 2001-02 women’s basketball Hall of Honor, sponsored by US Bank, on Saturday, January 27, team that won the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference 2024. The SMSU Athletics Hall of Honor is the highest athletic regular season and tournament championships and advanced to distinction awarded by the University. the NCAA Central Region championship The newest SMSU Athletics Hall of game. Honor members are former softball player The SMSU Athletics Hall of Honor Amanda (Burkhart) Sulzman (2006-09); banquet, which will be held at the volleyball player Erin (Contons) Markert EverSpring Inn & Suites Event Center in SMSU ATHLETICS (2004-07); swimmer/football player Dave Marshall, will begin at 10 a.m. with a halfGarman (1972-76); baseball player Andrew hour social, followed by lunch and the Kinney (2007-10); football/wrestler Tyler induction ceremonies beginning at 10:30 Reed (2005-09); women’s basketball player a.m. To reserve tickets for the banquet, go Shelli (Schoeneck) Hawkinson (1999-2003); to SMSUmustangs.com/HallofHonor or call football player Zach Wysong (2005-09); former head athletic 507-537-7271. Complete bios of the inductees can be found at trainer Laura Crowell (1996-2021); and former SMSU employee, SMSUmustangs.com/HallofHonor.
SMSU Volleyball makes return trip to NCAA Tournament
SMSU Volleyball at NCAA Central Region Tournament vs Nebraska Kearney
The SMSU volleyball team put together another outstanding season this fall and was rewarded with its first trip to the NCAA Central Region Tournament since 2018 and the 17th in program history. Under the direction of second-year head coach Tyler Boddy, SMSU earned the No. 3 seed in the tournament before suffering a 3-1 setback to No. 6 seed Nebraska Kearney in the tournament quarterfinals in St. Paul, Minn. SMSU, which just missed qualifying for the NCAA Central Region Tournament in 2022, closed this season with a 23-7 record, while finishing third in the NSIC with a 14-4 mark. SMSU has won 21 or more matches in 18 of the last 19 seasons. The Mustangs, who were ranked among the Top 10 nationally nearly all season (moving as high as No. 5 on Nov. 13) had four players earn postseason honors. Outside hitter, Leah Jones, was named the NSIC Freshman of the Year along with earning AllNSIC first team honors. Senior setter, Alisa Bengen, junior outside hitter, Saari Kuehl, and sophomore defensive specialist, McKenzie Tolk, were named All-NSIC second team.
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