Women's Volleyball

LALANE NAMED REGION XI PLAYER OF THE YEAR

LALANE NAMED REGION XI PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Posted: Nov 07, 2022

Ottumwa, IA – Sophomore Hennesys Lalane (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic/Colegio Luis Munox Rivera) has been named the 2022 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) DI Volleyball Region XI Player of the Year. Lalane becomes just the second player in program history to win the award.

In a record-breaking year for the Warrior program, Lalane served as the focal point for the Warrior offense. The sophomore setter played in 145 of a possible 149 sets throughout the year, the fifth-most in the nation.

"Lala is so deserving of this award - she has been quarterbacking this team for over two years," stated head coach Lyndsey Michel. "She brings energy and calm to this team at the same time. She is charismatic yet sassy. She is athletic and strong, but a safe place for her teammates. She is accountable and worthy. I am so proud she is a part of my team and my family. I can't wait to watch what else she can accomplish for IHCC at the national tournament."

Lalane helped rewrite the record books for the Warriors in her final season in Ottumwa. The sophomore currently leads the nation with 1,522 assists on the year which ranks sixth in school history. Her 2,770 assists throughout her career rank fourth all-time for the Warriors.

At the service line, Lalane holds both the single season and career mark for service aces. Lalane's 103 service aces this year rank second in the nation while her 180 career aces are the most in Indian Hills history.

Lalane's ability to impact the game from all angles was evident in not just her service and distribution of the ball, but her ability to finish at the net and deter the opposition on the defensive front. Lalan totaled 135 kills on the year with a .371 hitting percentage while blocking 91 total shots this season, third-most on the team. Lalane also totaled a career-high 258 digs on the year.

Along with the NJCAA Region XI Player of the Year honor, Lalane was named to the NJCAA All-Region XI First-Team and was a four-time recipient of the ICCAC Athlete of the Week honor. Lalane was also named the national player of the week on October 6.

Lalane becomes just the second individual in program history to earn the NJCAA Region XI Player of the Year honor. Marianna Rodrigues was selected with the prestigious honor in 2019 after leading the Warriors to its last national tournament appearance in 2019.

Lalane's efforts on the court has helped guide the Warriors into the upcoming national tournament set to be held November 17-20 in West Plains, MO after the Warriors rolled the NJCAA Midwest District Championship. Indian Hills will learn of its opponent and seed at the national tournament on Thursday, November 10.

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