Hailee Olson Named DII Freshman of the Year
Findlay, OH - Although they faced a second-round, NCAA tournament exit at the hands of #2 Ferris State University, The University of Findlay volleyball team continued to add bullet-points to a historic season as three Findlay players were selected to NCAA Division II all-American teams. Teams were announced on Tuesday, Dec. 8.
Freshman Hailee Olson collected another award to garnish what has already been a remarkable first season. After being named American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) first team all-region and Midwest Region Freshman of the Year a week ago, Olson has earned Division II National Freshman of the Year and a spot on the third team all-American list. This marks the first time a Findlay volleyball player has earned a spot as a third team all-American.
Statistically, Olson's season has been one for the ages as she has amassed 1,523 assists at a rate of 11.90 per set, 38 aces, 54 blocks, 56 kills, and 160 digs. Her assists and assists per set are what made the Malone, Wisconsin native stand out as she led the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference all year in both categories and finished the year ranked third in the nation in assists and seventh in assists per set. Her assists and assists per set this season both rank in the top six at UF. Her 1,523 assists already place her eighth at Findlay for career assists.
This season, Olson earned first team all-Midwest Region as well as Midwest Region Freshman of the Year, was voted honorable mention all-GLIAC, and earned a spot on the TownePlace Suites Classic all-tournament team.
Junior Hannah Tong can add one more honorable mention all-American award to her trophy case following yet another stand-out year. The Oilers' outside hitter ended her 2015 season with 509 kills at 4.01 kills per set, had a .284 hitting percentage, picked up 56 blocks, and scored 560 points for Findlay. Her 509 kills place her atop the GLIAC and 12th in the nation while her kills per set and points are good for second in conference.
For a single season, Tong's 509 kills rank her sixth at Findlay and marks the first time since 2003 (Kara Heitmeyer) that a player has reached the 500 kill mark in a season.
Tong currently sits at 1,083 kills in her career with one final season to play. That mark is good for ninth all-time at The University of Findlay and is just 35 shy of 2014 graduate and all-American performer, Danielle Taflinger. Deanna Behnfeldt (1998-01) holds the top spot at UF with 2,437 kills.
This season, Tong has earned first team all-GLIAC, AVCA first team all-Midwest Region, as well as Conference Commissioner's Association (CCA) honorable mention all-American and first team all-Region. She also earned GLIAC South Player of the Week on Nov. 16 and was named to the GLIAC, GLIAC/GLVC Crossover, and Oredigger Classic all-tournament teams.
Senior Julie Lyons has been named honorable mention all-American for the 2015 season. The Dover, Ohio native saved her best season for last as she spent her final season producing points more efficiently than any player in the history of Findlay volleyball. She ended the year having amassed 279 kills at a scorching .412 hitting percentage. That mark places her on top of the GLIAC and ranks her seventh in the country. She also finished second on the team with 96 total blocks.
No Oilers player has hit a higher percentage in a single season than Lyons did in her final year. Her .412 percentage places her on top of the Findlay record books in that category. The old record was held by Taflinger who hit .360 in her sophomore season.
For her career, Lyons' amassed a hitting percentage of .320, which ranks second behind Taflinger. The middle blocker also ranks eighth all-time at Findlay with 243 block assists.
This season, Lyons was named first team all-GLIAC, was twice named GLIAC South Player of the Week, earned a spot on the TownePlace Suites Classic and Midwest Regional Tournament all-tournament teams, and was named first team-all Midwest Region.