Contact: Chassidy Holloway, Assistant Executive Director, holloway@midwestconference.org
 
MOUNT VERNON, Iowa – The Midwest Conference (MWC) announced its 2021 Volleyball All-Conference and individual awards on Friday during the MWC Volleyball Tournament.
 
Grinnell College senior Kaylin Kuhn was named First Team All-Conference and the 2021 MWC Volleyball Player of the Year.  The nationally ranked outside hitter earned Offensive Performer of the Week three times this fall and holding ninth place in both kills (442) and kills per set (4.31), and tenth place in points per set with 4.99, which is also the league high in all three categories.
 
Joining Kuhn on the First Team is senior teammate Olivia Jensen. Pioneers featured on the Second Team were fellow senior Julianna Roth and sophomores Emily Brewer and Jenna Keller.
 
Grinnell College Pioneers head coach Eric Ragan and his staff received the league’s Coaching Staff of the Year award, leading their team to a 7-1 conference record and a second-place regular season finish.
 
The regular season champion Cornell Rams picked up three First Team selections in junior Rory Light and seniors Alissa McEndaffer and Sydney Meeker. On the Second Team for the Rams is freshman Clare Green and sophomore Ilah Perez-Johnson.
 
Monmouth College senior Kaylee Woodard was honored with the 2021 MWC Newcomer of the Year Award as well as a First Team All-Conference selection, while senior team Karlie Drish received the 2021 MWC Volleyball Elite 20 Award.  
 
The Illinois College Lady Blues picked up one First Team selection in senior Abbie Horstmann and fellow junior teammate Jen Humbolt on the Second Team.
 
Knox College senior Catessa Duran also earned First Team honors and freshman teammate Emme Patton was a Second Team selection. 
 
Lake Forest College sophomore Mary Gegen picked up a Second Team All-Conference selection.
 
The Beloit College Buccaneers were recognized as the league’s Team Sportsmanship award.
 
All-MWC and individual awards are determined by a vote of the league’s volleyball head coaches.
 
The full list of honorees can be found below:
 
First Team
Catessa Duran, Knox College - Sr
Abbie Horstmann, Illinois College - Sr
Olivia Jensen, Grinnell College - Sr
Kaylin Kuhn, Grinnell College - Sr
Rory Light, Cornell College - Jr
Alissa McEndaffer, Cornell College - Sr
Sydney Meeker, Cornell College - Sr
Kaylee Woodard, Monmouth College - Sr
 
Second Team
Emily Brewer, Grinnell College - So
Mary Gegen, Lake Forest College - So
Clare Green, Cornell College - Fr
Jen Humbolt, Illinois College - Jr
Jenna Keller, Grinnell College - So
Emme Patton, Knox College - Fr
Ilah Perez-Johnson, Cornell College - So
Julianna Roth, Grinnell College - Sr
 
Player of the Year
Kaylin Kuhn, Grinnell College - Sr
 
Newcomer of the Year
Kaylee Woodard, Monmouth College - Sr
 
Coaching Staff of the Year
Grinnell College
 
Team Sportsmanship Award
Beloit College
 
Elite 20 Award Recipient
Karlie Drish, Monmouth College - Sr