Three Northwestern players were named to the 2009 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-American teams as announced by the association earlier today. Randa 
Hulstein earned first team honors for the second straight year and is joined by Kaitlin Beaver, also with first team accolades. Hillary Hanno earned second team honors.
Hulstein, a 6-1 middle hitter from Sioux Center, hit a team-best 37% (6th best in the NAIA) and averaged over four kills and 1.1 blocks per set. She finished her NWC career as the all-time leader in solo and total blocks (184, 724) and ranks fourth all-time in kills with 1,760. A four-year starter, Hulstein averaged 2.7 digs and served 63 aces.
A 6-0 junior setter from Sioux Center, Iowa, Beaver led a Raider offense that ranked fifth in the NAIA with a 30% hitting percentage. She lofted up 11.4 assists per set, third best in 
the NAIA, averaged and averaged 1.8 digs per set. A three-year starter, Beaver totaled 41 aces and 65 blocks.
Hanno led the conference and ranked 10th in the NAIA in kills per set (4.2). The junior outside hitter from Sioux City hit 32% and averaged 1.7 digs per set. 
Hanno also posted 28 ace serves and 55 blocks.
All three players were named to the AVCA all-West Central first team for the second straight year. Hulstein earned regional player-of-the-year honors and head coach Kyle Van Den Bosch was named regional coach-of-the-year for the second straight year.
Northwestern earned its fourth straight trip to the national tournament where they went 3-0 in pool play and lost in the Elite Eight to 19th-ranked Lee University (Tenn.) 3-1. The 2009 GPAC regular season and postseason champions finished the season with a 36-3 overall record.
Official AVCA All-American Release
Regional Release (AVCA)
