MILWAUKEE, Wis. (naccsports.org) --- The Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) has announced its major awards and all-conference teams for the 2022 women's volleyball season. Aurora senior outside hitter Sydnei Avery was named NACC Player of the Year for the second time in her career, while Benedictine University sophomore libero Courtney Levy was named NACC Defensive Player of the Year and Concordia University Wisconsin defensive specialist/outside hitter Abby Proefrock has been named NACC Freshman of the Year. Edgewood College was recognized by its peers as the NACC Coaching Staff of the Year.

NACC Player of the Year --- Sydnei Avery, Sr., OH, Aurora University
Avery has proven to be one of the NACC's top all-around players, ranking in the top five in the conference in nearly every major statistical category. Heading into the NACC Tournament, Avery leads all league players in kills (378) and kills per set (3.98), while ranking fourth in total attacks (974) and fifth in attacks per set (10.25). She registered double-digits in kills in 22 matches, eclipsing 20 kills five times, while also posting 84 digs, 34.0 total blocks (one solo), and 13 service aces.

Avery is the fourth Spartan student-athlete to be named NACC Player of the Year, accounting for six total honors. She also becomes the fifth two-time winner of the award and the second from Aurora (Katie Vondra, 2016 & 2018). Additionally, Avery was named NACC Freshman of the Year in 2019.

NACC Defensive Player of the Year --- Courtney Levy, So., L, Benedictine University
Levy is the NACC leader in digs per set (4.82) and ranks second in total digs with 477. She participated in 28 matches overall this season, registering double-digits in digs in all but three and reaching the 20-dig plateau 11 times. Levy posted a season-high 29 digs against Salve Regina on Sept. 3, part of a performance that led her to all-tournament honors at the Pacific Coast Classic hosted by the University of Puget Sound. She was also a three-time NACC Defensive Player of the Week this season. 

Levy is the third Eagle to be named NACC Defensive Player of the Year following Kristina Billie (2016) and Jackie Rust (2010).

NACC Freshman of the Year --- Abby Proefrock, DS/OH, Concordia University Wisconsin
Proefrock has played in every set for the Falcons heading into the NACC Tournament and is statistically the team's best serve receiver. She has posted a team-leading 331 digs and ranks third on the team in both assists (107) and service aces (28).

Proefrock is the fifth Falcon to be named NACC Freshman of the Year.

NACC Coaching Staff of the Year --- Edgewood College (Paul Schlomer, head coach)
Edgewood, led by 17th-year head coach Paul Schlomer, finished third in the NACC with an 11-2 mark - one game back of co-champions Aurora and Concordia Wisconsin. After a run of near misses and lost tiebreakers, the Eagles also qualified for the NACC Tournament for the first time (under non-COVID conditions) since 2017. Edgewood reached the 20-win plateau for the first time since 2015 with a first-round NACC Tournament win over Benedictine. The Eagles rank in the top four of league programs in virtually every statistical category.

This is the fourth time that Schlomer (or a staff led by him) has been recognized by the league's coaches. He was previously named NACC Coach of the Year in 2012, 2013, and 2015. 

All-Conference Team Announced
The NACC also announced its 2022 Women's Volleyball All-Conference Team. Concordia Wisconsin led all programs with four honorees on the 18-member squad, but saw just one selected to the first team, while Aurora placed all three of its honorees on the first team. Edgewood matched the Spartans' total with three selections including one first-teamer. Benedictine and St. Norbert both had two first-team selections, while Lakeland had one first-teamer and one second-teamer. The final all-conference selections - both first-teamers - went to Concordia Chicago and Wisconsin Lutheran, respectively. Of note amongst this year's honorees is Benedictine's Olivia McPherson, who accomplished a unique double by being named to the All-NACC Women's Volleyball First Team as well as an honorable mention to the All-NACC Women's Soccer Team.

2022 All-NACC Women's Volleyball Team
Player of the Year - Sydnei Avery, Aurora University
Defensive Player of the Year - Courtney Levy, Benedictine University
Freshman of the Year - Abby Proefrock, Concordia University Wisconsin
Coaching Staff of the Year - Edgewood College (Paul Schlomer, head coach)
First Team	School	Yr.	Pos.	Hometown
Sydnei Avery	Aurora	Sr.	OH	Yorkville, Ill.
Kaitlyn Beebe	Aurora	Sr.	S	Aurora, Ill.
Addy Gruse	Aurora	Sr.	MB	Peoria, Ill.
Courtney Levy	Benedictine	So.	L	Round Lake, Ill.
Olivia McPherson	Benedictine	Jr.	OH	North Aurora, Ill.
Grace Heywood	Concordia Chicago	Sr.	OH	Northbrook, Ill.
Maycee Karpfinger	Concordia Wisconsin	Jr.	MH	Wauwatosa, Wis.
Abigail Hoffmann	Edgewood	So.	S/RS	Hartford, Wis.
Katie Metzler	Lakeland	Jr.	MB	Kewaunee, Wis.
Ellie Hartson	St. Norbert	Jr.	S	Merrill, Wis.
Brooke Clement	St. Norbert	Jr.	OH	Green Bay, Wis.
Jenna Charron	Wisconsin Lutheran	Sr.	OH	Appleton, Wis.
Second Team	School	Yr.	Pos.	Hometown
Jenna Chaussee	Concordia Wisconsin	Sr.	OH	Chilton, Wis.
Lauren Shroba	Concordia Wisconsin	So.	RS	Bolingbrook, Ill.
Sophia Collins	Concordia Wisconsin	Sr.	OH	Lake Mills, Wis.
Abbey Falk	Edgewood	Jr.	MH	Milton, Wis.
Lea Bunch	Edgewood	So.	L	Romeoville, Ill.
Maeve Sullivan	Lakeland	Jr.	L	Chicago, Ill.
Honorable Mention	School	Yr.	Pos.	Hometown
Rolin West	Alverno	So.	OH	New Orleans, La.
Isabelle Vernengo	Concordia Chicago	Jr.	S	Plainfield, Ind.
Julia Beers	Concordia Chicago	Gr.	L	Mishawaka, Ind.
Sierra Lee	Concordia Wisconsin	Sr.	S	Kenosha, Wis.
Cassidy Spies	Dominican	Jr.	OH	Fort Atkinson, Wis.
Vicky Krzyszkowski	Dominican	Sr.	MID	Bensenville, Ill.
Briar Moore	Illinois Tech	Jr.	OH	Parker, Colo.
Susana Stevens	Lakeland	So.	OH	Las Cruces, N.M.
Kaitlyn Merrill	Marian	Jr.	OH	Livonia, Mich.
Della Crain	Rockford	Sr.	OH	Lena, Ill.
Rylie Gregg	St. Norbert	So.	OPP	Elm Grove, Wis.