Seven volleyball players from the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) were announced to All-Region 7 Teams by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) on November 15, 2023. Additionally, Hope College's Addie VanderWeide and Becky Schmidt received specialty awards.
Junior outside hitter Addie VanderWeide was deemed the Region 7 Player of the Year by the AVCA. VanderWeide was previously selected as the 2023 MIAA Most Valuable Player after leading the Flying Dutch to the regular-season championship with a perfect 8-0 record. Overall this season, she currently leads the MIAA with 444 kills, 4.40 kills per set, 500.5 points, and 5.0 points per set, while also landing in the top five for total attacks (1,073), hitting percentage (.305), and matches started (29).
Head coach Becky Schmidt, who is currently in her 20th season at the helm of the Hope program, was selected as the Region 7 Coach of the Year. She was recently voted the 2023 MIAA Volleyball Coach of the Year by her peers. This season, Schmidt has led the Flying Dutch to their eighth MIAA regular-season title, their sixth MIAA Tournament crown, and their fifteenth trip to the NCAA Division III Volleyball Tournament. Hope currently holds a record of 28-2 in the midst of regional play.
Along with VanderWeide, Albion College's Olivia Alexander, Calvin University's Aerin Baker and Emma Ekblaw, and Hope's Allison DeWeerd and Lauren Lee were all selected to the All-Region 7 First Team, while Briton Mariah Brenz was named to the Honorable Mention Team.
Senior outside hitter Olivia Alexander became a three-time All-MIAA honoree this season after leading the Brits to a 7-1 conference record (18-11 overall). She closed out the year as the MIAA's leader in total attacks (1,350) and receptions (740). She also concluded the year in the top five with 493.0 points, 418 kills, 3.87 kills per set, 43 service aces, 0.40 service aces per set, and 4.6 points per set. Alexander was selected as the MIAA Volleyball Player of the Week twice this season.
Sophomore outside hitter Aerin Baker received First Team All-MIAA recognition after helping the Knights to a 6-2 mark in league play and an overall record of 22-8. Baker is top three in the conference with 389 kills, 3.54 kills per set, 449.0 points, 4.1 points per set, and 29 matches started. She was named MIAA Volleyball Player of the Week twice this year.
Hope junior middle blocker Allison DeWeerd is now a two-time All-MIAA honoree after receiving a spot on the First Team this season. She currently leads the conference with a .363 hitting percentage and is second in the MIAA with 18 solo blocks.
Sophomore rightside hitter Emma Ekblaw represents Calvin on the 2023 All-MIAA Second Team. Ekblaw is top ten in the league with 219 kills, a hitting percentage of .288, 61 block assists, and a total of 66 blocks.
Sophomore setter Lauren Lee became a two-time All-MIAA honoree this season with First Team honors. The Flying Dutch player currently leads the conference in assists (1,181) and assists per set (11.14). She was selected as the MIAA Volleyball Specialist of the Week four times this year.
Senior setter Mariah Brenz is now a three-time All-MIAA honoree after receiving a spot on the First Team following the 2023 campaign. Brenz ranks top five in the conference with 893 assists and 8.27 assists per set. She was named the MIAA Volleyball Specialist of the Week twice this season.
MIAA Student-Athletes and Coaches Recognized by the AVCA
Albion - Olivia Alexander, Mariah Brenz (Honorable Mention)
Calvin - Aerin Baker, Emma Ekblaw
Hope - Allison DeWeerd, Lauren Lee, Addie VanderWeide (Region 7 Player of the Year), Becky Schmidt (Region 7 Coach of the Year)
