Joynt Earns NWC Player of the Year Honor

All-NWC Volleyball

Kelcy Joynt, who returned from knee surgeries over the past two years to lead Pacific Lutheran to the Northwest Conference volleyball title, was rewarded when coaches voted her as the 2009 NWC Player of the Year.

Head coach Kevin Aoki was honored by his peers as Northwest Conference Coach of the Year, winning the award for the fourth straight year and the sixth time in his 14 years at PLU.

Joynt, a 5-9 senior middle blocker from Wasilla, Alaska, played a pivotal role in Pacific Lutheran's run to its fifth conference championship in the past six years. Joynt averaged 3.47 kills, 3.22 digs and 0.55 blocks per set to help the Lutes to their second 16-0 record in the past three seasons. In addition, Joynt finished with a .280 attack percentage in conference play.

Joining her on the All-Northwest Conference first team were 6-0 junior outside hitter Beth Hanna (Clackamas, Ore.) and 5-11 junior setter Sarah Beaver (Gresham, Ore.). Kelsie Moore (Oregon City, Ore.), a 5-9 sophomore outside hitter, earned second team recognition.

Hanna, who earned NWC Player of the Year honors during her freshman and sophomore seasons, averaged team highs of 3.49 kills and 3.53 digs per set while finishing with a .231 attack rate. She also averaged 0.58 blocks per set against conference opponents. Hanna has earned first team All-NWC honors for three straight years.

Beaver, named to the first team for the second straight season, finished conference play with an average of 10.24 assists per game. Beaver had a .299 attack percentage and averaged 2.02 digs per set in NWC matches.

Moore, who received honorable mention recognition in 2008, averaged 2.91 kills while hitting .280 against conference foes. She also contributed 2.35 digs per set for the Lutes.

Pacific Lutheran, 20-6 overall and ranked No. 17 in the AVCA Division III Coaches Top 25 Poll, opens national tournament play at 4:30 p.m. Thursday with a regional match against the University of La Verne. The regional event, which ends Saturday, will be played at the University of Redlands in Redlands, Calif.

- PLU -