2005 KCAC & Naia Honors

Stephenson gains All-Region honors

McPherson College junior setter Kendra Stephenson has been named to the NAIA All-Region IV second team for the 2005 season.

The KCAC's assist leader with 1,142, Stephenson directed the Lady Bulldog offense on its way to a 19-14 season, the most wins by a Bulldog squad since 1985.

Kendra was previously named to the 2005 All-KCAC first team.

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Two Lady Bulldogs' named first team All-KCAC in volleyball

McPherson College juniors Jennifer Marquette and Kendra Stephenson were named to the 2005 All-KCAC (Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference) women's volleyball first team in a vote by the conference's coaches.

Named to the All-KCAC second team were junior Kelsey Crist and sophomore Jessica Miller.

“I was very pleased with the overcome of the coaches' vote,” said Nathalea Stephenson, McPherson College head volleyball coach. “The respect that our team is getting in the conference, I believe, is very evident by the all-league selections.”

Jennifer Marquette , a 2003 graduate of Blue Rapids-Valley Heights High School , was named to the All-KCAC first team as a middle hitter for a second time this fall after previously being named to the All-KCAC first team in 2004. Marquette was 9 th in the KCAC in kills per game, knocking down an average of 2.60 per game. Her 260 kills ranked 2 nd among the Lady Bulldogs and 7 th among KCAC players. Marquette led McPherson with 58 solo, 56 assisted, and 114 total blocks. Marquette was one of six repeat selections from the 2004 All-KCAC first team. Jennifer is the daughter of Russ and Myrna Marquette of Waterville , Kan. Jennifer is majoring in graphic design and studio art.

“Jenny is a great leader on the court, and a very disciplined player,” stated Stephenson.

“Jennifer's goal this year was to be a better blocker and more consistent on keeping her hits inbounds. Teams would focus on stopping Jenny, and that would help others on our team be open.”

Kendra Stephenson , a 2003 graduate of Salina ( Kan. ) Central High School , was named to the All-KCAC first team as a setter after being named to the All-KCAC honorable mention squad a year ago. Stephenson led the KCAC in assists per game, averaging 10.11, and was second in total assists with 1001. Twice this season, Stephenson was named KCAC “Setter of the Week.” Kendra is the daughter of Tim and Nathalea Stephenson of Salina , Kan. She is an accounting and business finance major.

“Kendra's role is to get the ball to our hitters, a role she takes very seriously,” offered Stephenson.

“Her goal is to help her teammates be successful and to do what she needs to do to make our team successful. In order to do that, Kendra spent several hours a day in the gym this past summer working on her setting.”

Kelsey Crist , a 2003 graduate of Bennington ( Kan. ) High School, was named to the All-KCAC second team as a libero. Crist topped the KCAC regular season list for serve reception, successfully completing 96.87% of her 638 attempts with only 20 errors. She also ranked 3 rd in digs, averaging 4.80 per game. Her 427 digs led McPherson and ranked 5 th in the KCAC. Crist was twice named KCAC “Libero of the Week” this fall. Kelsey is the daughter of Jeff and Barb Crist of Bennington , Kan. Kelsey is majoring in elementary education and special education.

“Kelsey has one of the hardest jobs on the court as libero,” said Stephenson. “She is expected to get to all the balls and be the best passer.”

“She has worked very hard this year doing that. Her passes and digs have played an integral part in the success of our team this year.

Jessica Miller , a 2004 graduate of Saint John ( Kan. ) High School, was named to the All-KCAC second team as an outside hitter. Miller led the KCAC in ace serves with 70 and an average of 0.70 per game. She finished the regular season ranked #2 among KCAC players and led McPherson with 303 kills. Miller's average of 3.03 kills per game placed her 4 th among KCAC players. Jessica was 7 th in service reception, keeping 95.39% of her attempts in play. Miller's 276 digs ranked second among the Lady Bulldogs in 2005. Jessica is the daughter of Lance and Joyce Miller of Saint John , Kan. Jessica is majoring in biochemistry major at McPherson College .

“Jessica is a very intense player,” added Stephenson, “one that wants the ball and to be the one to make things happen. She wants to be the ‘go to' person and is confident in that role.”

“Jessica took on a new role this year, that of being not only a hitter, but also playing the back row. She works hard at improving each and every time she steps on the court. Her ability to see the court, and place the ball was a factor in her selection.

The 2005 Lady Bulldogs finished their regular season with a 17-12 overall record, 13-5 in KCAC play and tied for third in the conference race. The Bulldogs' third place KCAC finish is the highest known conference finish in school volleyball history as were their 13 conference wins.

Awarded a home berth in the first round of the KCAC post-season tournament, because of their regular season placing, the Bulldogs defeated Ottawa University for a third time this season. The win was McPherson's first in post-season tournament play in recent years. In Thursday evening's semifinal round at #1 seeded Bethel College , McPherson knocked off the regular season co-champions, coming away with a 3-1 win to advance to the tournament finals at #2 seeded Tabor College in Hillsboro .

The Lady Bulldogs' will carry an overall season record of 19-12 into Saturday evening's KCAC tournament title match. The 19 wins ties for second on the McPherson College all-time list for wins in a season with the 19-18 squad of 1985. Only the 1984 team with 20 wins (20-19) has posted more wins in a season. The Lady Bulldogs have now won 7 straight matches, and 9 of their last 10.

CONTACT
Athletic Director
LaMonte Rothrock
Asst. to Athletic Director
Karen M. Caylor
Sports Information
Carol Swenson



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