Contact: Lou Groce, Director of Media and Information, 920-229-8157

GRINNELL, Iowa – Ripon College junior setter Abbi Williamson has been named the Midwest Conference Player of the Year, while Cornell College head coach Jeff Meeker was named the Coach of the Year for the fourth consecutive season. 

Williamson led the Red Hawks to a 9-1 mark in the Midwest Conference and the No. 2 seed in this year’s MWC Tournament.  The junior is already Ripon’s all-time leader in assists and leads the league with an average of 10.01 per set. She has also added 11 service aces and 205 digs. 

Meeker led the Rams to their fourth straight Midwest Conference title this season.  Cornell opened the conference schedule with a loss at St. Norbert, but rallied to win nine straight MWC matches and the conference crown.  The Rams led the league in a number of statistical categories in conference play including opponent hitting percentage (.048), blocks (2.83) and service aces (2.39).

Cornell and Ripon both had two First Team All-Conference and a Second Team pick to lead the league with three all-conference players.  Carroll University also had two First Team selections, and Lake Forest College produced a First Team and Second Team pick. 

The complete 2015 Midwest Conference Volleyball Team can be found below. 
 

First Team
Diamond Boyd	Cornell
Abbi Williamson	Ripon
Lauren Ahart	Cornell
Halie Ferry	St. Norbert
Kelly Sloyan	Carroll
Emily Gary	Ripon
Brittany Avonts	Lake Forest
Caitlin Dolan	Carroll
Second Team
Allison Barnes	Ripon
Quincy Merritt	Monmouth
Nicole Ciari	Cornell
Arianna Neumeyer	Lawrence
Rose Griffin	Knox
Grace Larson	Lake Forest
Lisa Lowry	Illinois College
Aubree Antosch	St. Norbert