Sophomore outside hitter Ashley Hamilton of Indiana Institute of Technology and junior setter Katie Vander Meer of Aquinas College were named Tachikara-NAIA All-Americans for their efforts during the season. Three other Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) players were honorably mentioned for the prestigious award.

A committee of coaches throughout the country select the three All-America teams based on statistical performance, contribution during the season and placement on all-conference teams. Each of the three teams consist of 14 players. There were 44 other players receiving honorable mention recognition.

Hamilton, the WHAC's Player of the Year, was named to the second team after leading Tech to the national championship tournament. The Middlebury, Ind. native ranked eighth in the country with 562 total kills and was #35 in kills per game (3.65). Hamilton also had 30 service aces, 35 blocks and 542 digs during the year. Tech advanced to the quarterfinals of the NAIA national championship tournament and ended the year with a 34-11 overall record.

Vander Meer, a third-team selection, ranked 43rd in the country for assist per game with 9.62. She had 1.010 total assists. Originally from Kentwood, Mich., Vander Meer also recorded 195 kills, 25 service aces, 259 digs and 63 blocks. Aquinas finished the 2009 campaign with a 26-6 record.

Inta Grinvalds, a junior setter, and Mary McGinnis, a senior outside hitter, from Madonna University were named to the Honorable Mention team. Erika Stouder of Tech was the final WHAC player to receive honorable mention nods.

Grinvalds, a junior setter for the Crusaders, shared Setter of the Year honors in the conference with Vander Meer and ranked first in the country in assists per game with 11.55 and ranked second in total assists with 1,687.  McGinnis was 11th in the NAIA in total kills with 549 and ranked 28th in kills per game (3.76). Stouder, a middle blocker, finished her junior season with a 0.375 hitting percentage (#12 in the NAIA) and 160 total blocks to rank 21st.

Click here to view the complete teams.