As another season nears its end, the volleyball team moves onto the NCAC Division III Tournament with several players earning NCAC honors.
The NCAC honors went to senior Suzanne Peters who was named NCAC Player of the Year, junior morgan Stearley who earned first team all-NCAC, Junior Liv Hartman earned second team all-NCAC, and first-year Jenna Purichia earned an honorable mention.
Suzanne, Stearly, and Hartman were also honored by the conference last season, but this season earned higher honors.
“The volleyball team does not get enough credit,” Hartman said. “We have made the tournament three times out of the last five years, and many people on campus do not know the talent that we have.”
Coming in as a first-year on the team, Purichia had set her goals on earning a spot on the starting line up. Purchia was taken by surprise when she was recognized by the conference.
“I knew in previous years DePauw has had a successful volleyball program and I wanted to be able to contribute on the court,” Purichia said. “As a freshman in the conference, I didn't expect this award considering the amount of talented players I've played with and against.”
Similarly, Hartman was surprised by her award. After being named honorable mention last year, Hartman set her hopes on being named second team this year. However, she was not unaware of the competition that surrounded this honor.
“I did not know what to expect this year, Hartman said. “Our conference has some pretty impressive players and I wouldn't have been surprised either way.”
Despite a 2-3 lose at semi-finals on Nov. 3, the Volleyball team will play in the NCAC Division III tournament after receiving an at-large bid. This will be the Volleyball team’s fifth appearance in the NCAC tournament in the past six seasons.
“I'm so thankful to get another opportunity to play the game that I love competitively,” Peters said. “I'm looking forward to the level of competition at the NCAA national tournament”
While the team moves forward in the tournament, they set their hopes high together.
“I am looking forward to making history and hopefully making it as far as we can in the national tournament,” Hartman said. “I love the girls on the team. I play for them every single day. It is amazing to play for such a supportive group of girls.”