November 24, 2009 - The Hillsdale College volleyball team emerged as one of the top teams in the Midwest region in 2009, and Tuesday afternoon, three of its players were recognized for their, and the team's, success.

The AVCA and Daktronics each released their respective All-Region Teams for the 2009 season Tuesday afternoon. Sophomores Ashlee Crowder and Clara Leutheuser were named First-Team All-Region by both organizations. Junior Sydney Dow earned First-Team All-Region distinction from the AVCA, and earned Second-Team honors by Daktronics.

The Daktronics All-Region Team is voted upon by sports information directors from the region, which includes teams from the GLIAC, GLVC and independent schools in this area. The AVCA team is compiled by a committee at the AVCA.

Crowder, an outside hitter, was named the GLIAC Tournament MVP in 2009, leading the Chargers to their first-ever conference tournament title. Her 491 kills were third-most in a single season in school history, and she finished second in the GLIAC in kills and kills per set.

Leutheuser was one of the most efficient offensive and defensive players in this region in 2009. She finished the season leading the GLIAC in both blocks per set and in hitting percentage. Leutheuser and Crowder were also named to the All-Midwest Region Tournament last week, after guiding Hillsdale to the tournament semifinals for just the second time in school history.

Dow, a junior libero and team co-captain this season, led the GLIAC with 560 digs this year and was named to the GLIAC All-Tournament Team. She was the 2009 GLIAC Libero of the Year, the first player from Hillsdale to ever earn the honor.

To view the press releases for both All-Region awards, please click on the links below.

AVCA All-Region Awards

Daktronics All-Midwest Region Volleyball team