OSKALOOSA — The Statesmen women’s volleyball team had tremendous representation as the all-Heart of America Athletic Conference teams were announced Wednesday.

William Penn secured six honorees, setting a new program record for postseason laurels.  Alyssa Young (Sr., Winter Springs, Fla., Exercise Science) guided the navy and gold as a first-teamer, one of 14 individuals on the top squad.  Young, now a two-time recipient, moves up from a second-team selection in 2021.

Andressa Borges (So., Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sports Management) was one of 14 members on the second team, while the trio of Alyvia Johnson (So., Owatonna, Minn., Business Management), Corrin Lepper (Sr., Jefferson City, Mo., Biology), and Cecily Liphardt (Sr., Lincoln, Neb., Psychology and Business Management) were part of the 14-person third team.  Lepper’s award is the fourth of her career and the second time she is on the third team.  Johnson is now a two-time winner, claiming both laurels on the third squad.

Macy Bailey (Sr., Bondurant, Iowa, General Accounting) was one of 11 on the honorable-mention list.

The award is the first for Borges, Liphardt, and Bailey.

The sextet guided William Penn to its most successful campaign in recent history, finishing 21-14 overall and 13-6 in the Heart.  The Statesmen earned the #3 seed and advanced to the conference semifinals for the first time since 2010.

Young tallied 257 kills (2.09 per set) on a .245 attack clip.  She topped the Statesmen with 122 blocks (15 solos, 107 assists, 0.99 per set) in addition to 41 digs, 17 assists, and four aces.  The two-time Heart Player of the Week (one attacker, one defender) had highs of 18 kills and 10 blocks during the fall.

Borges posted 232 kills (2.32 per set) with a .209 attack percentage, while also recording 95 blocks (23 solos, 72 assists), 60 digs, two aces, and one assist.  She had match highs of 18 kills and seven blocks (twice).

Johnson was WPU’s most prolific hitter, finishing the season with 338 kills (3.16 per set) at a .189 hitting mark.  The sophomore also produced 349 digs, 53 blocks (8 solos, 45 assists), 21 aces, and 16 assists.  She was a double-double machine, recording 15 such performances (kills and digs), including posting highs of 21 kills and 24 digs during the campaign.

Lepper completed the season with 219 kills (1.82 per set) at a team-best .325 hitting clip.  She also eclipsed the century mark in blocks with 103 (18 solos, 85 assists), while managing 38 digs, seven assists, and one ace as well.  The senior posted a season-best 14 kills twice and a year-high seven blocks on four occasions.

Liphardt guided the back row with 557 digs (4.39 per set) in addition to 100 assists, 29 aces, and three kills.  The senior ended 2022 by posting season highs of 31 digs and four aces.

William Penn utilized several setters during the fall, but Bailey was the team’s best with 717 assists (5.78 per set).  She also paced the servers with 48 aces, while also tallying 227 digs and six kills.  The senior topped out with 35 assists, 20 digs, and five aces.

Malaina Hensley of Park was named Heart Player of the Year, while teammate Jullia Alvarez garnered Setter of the Year honors.  Callie Henson of Central Methodist was tabbed for the league’s Attacker of the Year accolade, while Vivianna Sanchez (Evangel) and Chevy Wagner-Chun (Grand View) shared the Defender of the Year nod.

MidAmerica Nazarene’s Molly Karagyaurov was chosen as Heart Coach of the Year by her peers.

For a complete list of the all-Heart teams, click HERE