Wheeling, W. Va. - On Wednesday, the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) released their All-Region team and Wheeling University had four members make the list. Senior Audrey Francis led the way as the Atlantic Region Player of the year, and was joined by fellow senior Lexi Reinert and Karly Niesen. Freshman Mady Winters also received honors, making the All-Region Honorable Mention team.
Francis finds herself on the All-Region team for the fifth season in a row, and earns the Atlantic Region Player of the Year for the first time in her career. Francis was one of the top defenders in the nation throughout the 2021 campaign, finishing the year with 761 digs and an average of 6.68 digs/set. Both numbers were good for second in the nation, and she was once again honored as an All-MEC First Team member, the MEC Libero of the Year, and a Conference Commissioner's Association First Team All-Region Award. Francis has had an impressive career in Wheeling up to this point, and looks to continue that success down the line.
Joining Francis on the All-Region team were setter Karly Niesen and outside hitter Lexi Reinert, who each had outstanding seasons for the Cardinals. Reinert was one of the top outside hitters for the Cardinals this season, finishing with 263 kills and an average of 2.98 kills/set this season. She earned All-MEC First team honors for her efforts, and makes the AVCA All-Region Atlantic team for the first time in her career. Sophomore Karly Niesen rounds out the All-Region list, making it as a setter. She led the nation in both assists (11.86) and assists per set (11.81). She made the All-MEC Second team for her efforts, and was a big part of Wheeling's offensive success.
Rounding out the list was Freshman Mady Winters, who earned AVCA All-Region Atlantic Honorable Mention. She led Wheeling with 291 kills this season, and averaged 2.83 kills/set. She held down the middle for the Cardinals, and earned the MEC's Freshman of the Year Award in her first season. She now adds her first national honor to the list of her accomplishments, as she looks to continue her success as the team prepares for the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Tournament this week.
In total, 14 players made the All-Region list, followed by six players who were recognized as Honorable Mention. Wheeling topped the list with four honorees this season, followed closely by Gannon University, who had three honorees on the list. For a complete look at the AVCA All-Region Atlantic Team, click HERE.
The Wheeling University Volleyball team begins their run in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Tournament on Thursday when they take on #8 Fayetteville State at 7:30 pm.
