[Volleyball] More postseason awards for Mustang volleyball

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- More awards have rolled in for the Mount Mercy volleyball program, with junior outside hitter Brittney Thomas earning national and regional honors, four Mustangs garnering academic awards and several individuals receiving team awards at the annual postseason banquet.

Thomas, a three-time first-team all-Midwest Collegiate Conference selection, was named an NAIA honorable mention all-American this fall. During the 2011 campaign, she set school records for single-season and career kills. Thomas had 516 kills this season, breaking her own school mark of 504 set as a freshman. She currently has 1,465 in three years, which is also a school record. Thomas was second in the MCC in kills per game (4.26) and third in total kills.

Thomas, senior Janae Rosien and juniors Allison Adams and Mary Klocke were named NAIA Scholar-Athletes. A total of 391 student-athletes were on the list. Student-athletes are nominated by their institution's head coach and must be a junior in academic status and maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0.

Mount Mercy Head Coach Rick Blackwell also handed out team awards at the annual postseason volleyball banquet. Varsity honors went to Thomas (MVP), freshman Rachel Vaughn (Most Improved Player), junior Riley Banes (Team Spirit Award) and Rosien (Hustle Award). Junior varsity awards went to Klocke and freshman Deanna Knustrom (Co-MVPs), freshman Cassie Holland (Most Improved Player), freshman Kate Till (Team Spirit Award) and freshman Kara Oakley (Hustle Award).

Thomas, Banes and sophomore

Meghan Nelson were named team captains for the 2012 season.