LEXINGTON, Ky. -- On November 28, 2023, six student-athletes from the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) were announced as All-Americans by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).
The 2023 class includes 42 players—14 on the first, second, and third teams—from 23 schools.
Hope College junior outside hitter Addie VanderWeide was selected to the All-America First Team after previously being named the Region 7 Player of the Year. VanderWeide was voted the 2023 MIAA Most Valuable Player after leading the Flying Dutch to the regular-season championship with a perfect 8-0 record. In the midst of the NCAA Tournament, VanderWeide currently leads the MIAA with 482 kills, 4.34 kills per set, 544.0 points, and 4.9 points per set. She is also second in the league with 1,187 total attacks.
Sophomore setter Lauren Lee of Hope received a spot on the All-America Second Team after earning Third Team honors last season. The two-time All-MIAA honoree currently leads the conference with 1,288 assists and 11.10 assists per set. Lee was previously named both MIAA Freshman Player of the Year and AVCA Region 7 Freshman of the Year in 2022.
Albion College's Olivia Alexander and Calvin University's Aerin Baker and Emma Ekblaw were all announced as Honorable Mention All-Americans.
Alexander, a senior outside hitter for the Brits, is a three-time All-MIAA honoree. She concluded the 2023 campaign as the league leader with 1,350 total attacks and 740 receptions. Alexander is also second in the MIAA with 418 kills, 3.87 kills per set, 493.0 points, and 4.6 points per set.
Baker earned a spot on the All-MIAA First Team for the first time in her career this season. The sophomore outside hitter wrapped up the season top three in the conference with 389 kills, 3.54 kills per set, 449.0 points, and 4.1 points per set.
Rightside hitter Emma Ekblaw was named to the All-MIAA Second Team for the first time in her career. The sophomore concluded the year in the league's top ten with a hitting percentage of .288, 61 block assists, and 66 total blocks.
The Coach of the Year, Assistant Coach of the Year, and Player of the Year will be announced later this week.
MIAA Student-Athletes Recognized by the AVCA
Albion - Olivia Alexander (Honorable Mention)
Calvin - Aerin Baker (Honorable Mention), Emma Ekblaw (Honorable Mention)
Hope - Allison DeWeerd (Honorable Mention), Lauren Lee (Second Team), Addie VanderWeide (First Team)
