Pioneers’ Kirchner Earns AVCA Honorable Mention All-American

To add to her American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Midwest All-Region honor, UW-Platteville's junior Stephanie Kirchner earned AVCA NCAA Division III honorable mention All-America honors, announced by the AVCA on Tuesday.

Kirchner garnered All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) honors earlier in November to add to her all-region honor. The Sussex, Wis. native, led the Pioneers in kills (405), kills per set (3.24) hitting percentage (.361) and blocks (96).  Kirchner's .361 hitting percentage led the WIAC and ranked fifth in kills and ninth in blocks. She tallied 10 double-doubles and recorded a season-best 23 kills and 18 digs at UW-Stevens Point on Oct. 16. The middle-blocker registered 21 games with 10 or more kills and 16 contests with 10 or more digs, including a season-high 21 digs against Bethel.

The Pioneers have had at least one student-athlete earning all-American honors the last three years. Ali Sikic and Briana Kaiser garnered the award in 2010 and Kaiser received the award again last year.

Kirchner and the Pioneers finished seventh in league play and posted a 21-12 overall record.