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Achievements

The volleyball team has nine Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference championships (2023-undefeated, 2022-undefeated, 2019, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2006, 2005, 2001). They have nine NJCAA Region IV Team championships (2022, 2018, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2002, 2001, 1983, 1980) and appeared in the NJCAA tournament in 2022 (13th place finish), 2018 (10th place), 2013 (8th place), 2012 (13th place), 2010 (13th place), 2002 (12th place), 2001 (10th place), 1983 and 1980 (16th place).

Between 2010 and 2022, the Cyclones went 291-116 with five Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference and five NJCAA Region IV titles, including five trips to compete at nationals.

NJCAA Division II All-American players: Mary Zielinski (2023- second team), Ava Porada (2022- honorable mention), Abbigail Fletcher (2019- second team), Noelle Knezz (2018- second team), Kara Kentner (2013, 2012- first team), Rachel Levitt (2010- second team), Natalie Wigginton (2006- second team), Ashley Adamczyk (2002- first team), Ellen Schultz (1980- honorable mention)

Freshman Mary Zielinski had an impressive 2023 season. She was named Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Player of the Year, NJCAA Region 4 Player of the Year and earned nods to the All-Conference first team, All-Region team, All-Tournament Team and NJCAA All-American second team.

 Transfer setter, Ava Porada, was named 2022 Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Player of the Year.

In the 2020 season, Taylor Bulow notched 1,000 assists (finished with 1,578), and Lauren Gausselin earned 1,000 digs (totaled 1,195).

As a sophomore, Abbigail Fletcher was named 2019 Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Player of the Year.

Noelle Knezz was not only an All-American her freshman year, but earned nods to the national All-Tournament team as well as the All-Region and All-Conference teams in 2018.

The 2018 team was No. 4 in the nation for service aces (342) and No. 10 for digs (2,656).

Caroyln Yerkes was nominated as an All-American in 2014 and ranked 11th in NJCAA Division II in digs per set (6.03 average). Over two years (2015, 2014), she earned more than 1,300 digs.

Joanna Curtis and Kara Kentner notched 1,000 kill assists while Gina Ryan earned 1,000 digs in the 2013 season.

Kara Kentner was ranked No. 1 in hitting percentage (.440) in NJCAA Division II and named an NJCAA Player of the Week.

The 2012 team was ranked fifth in both digs (2,049) and digs per set (22.52).

Kara Kentner was ranked fifth nationally in hitting percentage (.407) in 2012. She also was named NJCAA Player of the Week and a Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Player of the Year.

Gina Ryan was named the No. 1 player in NJCAA Region IV in 2012.

Rachel Levitt finished the 2010 season with 446 kills, a kill percentage of .356 and went 14 matches with double-doubles in kills and digs. She was named Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Player of the Year.

In the 2010 season, libero Kelly Stack was ranked No. 2 in the NJCAA Division II in digs per set with 969 digs. She was an NJCAA Player of the Week.

Katie Yacko was ranked third nationally in assists per set with a 10.10 average in 2010.

 

The Cyclones participated in the World Interuniversity Games in Milan, Italy, in 2009, and in Dublin, Ireland, in 2006 where they competed in the world’s largest university sports tournament.