Posted: Jan 18, 2013

Volleyball announces postseason awards

Head coach Lana Smith and the Simpson volleyball team held their annual awards banquet on Nov. 18, recognizing team award winners and looking back on the 2012 season.

Freshman setter Katie Kieffer (Dubuque, Iowa) took home the night's most coveted prize after being named the team's Most Valuable Player. An honorable mention all-conference pick, Kieffer finished the season with 1,043 assists, the most by a Storm setter since All-American Tara Christensen in 2009.

Senior outside hitter Steph Keller (Ames, Iowa) earned Offensive Player of the Year honors while junior defensive specialist Audrey Schuttler (Algona, Iowa) was the Defensive Player of the Year.

Freshman outside hitter Tabitha Blaser (Forest City, Iowa) was named Freshman of the Year and sophomore middle hitter Lauren Martin (Forest City, Iowa) was tabbed as the team's Most Improved Player.

The team also issued eight other team awards, including:

Spirit Ball – Rebekah Kimzey (so., Mount Pleasant, Iowa)
Net Threat – MacKenzie McGraw (fr., Oskaloosa, Iowa)
Ace Server – Caitlyn Shiek (sr., Marshalltown, Iowa)
Storm Pride – Kim Rogers (jr., Omaha, Neb.)
Outstanding Teammate – Morgan Terpstra (jr., Cedar Rapids, Iowa)
Coaches' Pick – McKaylie Croghan (sr., Manning, Iowa)
JV Offensive Player of the Year – Mariah Laven (fr., Bondurant, Iowa)
JV Defensive Player of the Year – Kira Klepel (so., Mantorville, Minn.)