Rachel Iaquaniello Named to the All-MAC Freshman Team
11/20/2009 11:55:38 AM
TOLEDO, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University freshman Rachel Iaquaniello (Plymouth, Mich.-Dearborn Divine Child) was honored by the Mid-American Conference and the league's coaches Thursday night, Nov. 19, as she was named to the All-MAC Freshman Team. Iaquaniello became just the second freshman in EMU history to lead the squad in kills during a season with 398 markers.
Just the fourth EMU student-athlete in the program's history to be named to the league's All-Freshman team, Iaquaniello is the first Eagles' rookie to garner the accolade since Emily Busch in 2001.
The Plymouth, Mich. native was joined on the All-Freshman Team by Jessica Brown from Western Michigan, Toledo's Sandra Payrs, Tori Beckman from Buffalo, Allison Kearny from Bowling Green and Meredith Paskert from Kent State.
Iaquaniello played in all 130 sets played this season, ranking 206th nationally in kills per set. She notched a career-best 23 kill performance in the finale of the Mississippi State University Bulldog Invitational, Sept. 12. The 23 put-a-ways were the most kills by an EMU student-athlete since Becky Reenders accumulated 25 kills versus Kent State University, Nov. 10, 2007. The total was also the most in recent history by an EMU freshman. Kristie Price picked up 20 kills against Oakland University, Sept. 12, 2000, while Melissa Bartlett powered down 20 kills again versus the Golden Grizzlies, Sept. 11, 2004.
Iaquaniello posted 24 matches with 10-or-more kills, and notched 11 double-doubles. She also finished with 32 total blocks, 286 digs and 23 service aces.
2009 MAC Volleyball Awards
All-MAC Freshman Team
Rachel Iaquaniello, Eastern Michigan
Jessica Brown, Western Michigan
Sandra Payrs, Toledo
Allison Kearney, Bowling Green
Meredith Paskert, Kent State
Tori Beckman, Buffalo
MAC Specialty Awards
Defensive Player of the Year – Maddie Hughes, NIU
Setter of the Year – Jillian Mitchell, WMU
Freshman of the Year – Jessica Brown, WMU
Player of the Year – Ellen Herman, Ohio
Coach of the Year – Ryan Theis, Ohio
First Team
Ellen Herman, Ohio
Meghan Simons, Ohio
Meagan Schoenrock, Northern Illinois
Allyson Doyle, Western Michigan
Sue Jacobi, Ohio
Arjula Prenga, Kent State
Jillian Mitchell, Western Michigan
Kelsey Brandl, Ball State
Andrea Atteberry, Miami
Lauren Krumpsky, Central Michigan
Michelle Jantsch, Ohio
Shari Luther, Bowling Green
Second Team
Michele Metzler, Miami
Jessica Brown, Western Michigan
Liva Brivule, Kent State
Michelle Moore, Western Michigan
Brionna Patterson, Akron
Maddie Hughes, Northern Illinois
Hallie Hanks, Miami
Kassie Kadera, Toledo
Kaitlyn Schultz, Central Michigan
Megan Griffin, Miami
Amber DeWeerdt, Toledo
Allison McGlaughlin, Northern Illinois