League Champion Viterbo Dominates 2024 Women's Volleyball Postseason Honor Roll

CHICAGO --- Dominant on the court this fall by virtue of both its regular-season and tournament championships, Viterbo University was the same off the court when the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference announced its 2024 women's volleyball honor roll on Monday afternoon.  The V-Hawks program notched a league-high seven awards, including three of the five top individual accolades, in its first season in the conference.

Saint Xavier University, the league runner-up for both the regular season and tournament, along with St. Ambrose University and Judson University, shared second-place distinction on the awards distribution list with four each.  Trinity Christian College, University of St. Francis and Olivet Nazarene University were next in line with three honors apiece, followed by Governors State University, Indiana University Northwest and Indiana University South Bend with a pair each.

Viterbo also came away toting the most first team all-conference selections with three, while St. Francis, Judson, Saint Xavier and Indiana South Bend were tops on second-team picks with two each.

A total of 34 awards were presented, broken up into both a 14-member first and second all-conference team, the five top individual awards and one team recognition.  The latter went to Governors State, which was named the Champions of Character Team.

Five players named to the all-conference first team were familiar faces topped by St. Francis' Desiree Anderson (Joliet, Ill.), who garnered the recognition each of the past four years.  St. Ambrose's Kenia Diaz Vega (Caguas, Puerto Rico) claimed her spot on the first team for the third year in a row, while Judson's Alyssa Gerzel (Lake Villa, Ill.), St. Ambrose's Mackenzie Grafton (Orion, Ill.) and Olivet Nazarene's Halle Nicholas (Warren, Mich.) were repeat selections.

The top individual honor was secured by Viterbo's Jada Mitchell (New Albin, Iowa), who was named the CCAC Player of the Year.  The junior middle hitter ranks among the top five performers in five conference statistical areas topped by her No. 1 rankings in blocks (128) and block percentage (1.24).  The latter figure also places her No. 14 in the nation.

Mitchell's other high-level placements include the No. 2 spot in hitting percentage (.406), No. 4 in kills per set (3.33) and No. 5 in total kills (343).

Mitchell was joined on the awards stand by teammate Kenidi McCabe (Decorah, Iowa), who claimed CCAC Libero of the Year honors.  The senior leads the league in digs per set (5.15), while ranking second in total digs (592), third in receptions (664), eighth in service aces (39) and tenth in service aces per set (0.34).

Capping off the triumvirate of V-Hawk top honorees was head coach Ryan DeLong, who was named the CCAC Coach of the Year after going undefeated in the league during both the regular and postseason.  Viterbo (24-9) is also ranked No. 15 in the latest NAIA Coaches' Poll.

Recognized as the CCAC Setter of the Year was Trinity Christian's Sharide Sykes (McDonough, Ga.).  The junior leads the league in total assists with 828, while ranking third in assists per set (7.26), 16th in blocks (65) and 20th in blocks per set (0.57).

Rounding out the list of award winners was Alexa Orozco (Caguas, Puerto Rico) from St. Ambrose University.  She was named the CCAC Freshman of the Year.

The outside hitter registered the 14th-most receptions (491), while also averaging 1.93 kills and 2.31 digs per set in her first collegiate season.

For the complete list of award winners, go to Awards.