WATERTOWN, S.D. -- Sophomore setter Olivia Galas (Bellevue, Neb./Omaha Gross HS) highlighted Bellevue University's selections on the 2019 all-North Star Athletic Association volleyball squad announced today in conjunction with the 2019 NSAA Volleyball Tournament. Galas was named the NSAA Player of the Year as well as NSAA Setter of the Year.
Joining Galas on the NSAA first team was sophomore outside hitter Sierra Athen (Red Oak, Iowa/Red Oak HS), junior outside hitter Andrea Carson (Ord, Neb./Ord HS), and sophomore middle blocker Coree Lipovsky (Fairfield, Neb./Sandy Creek HS).
Galas, a first-team selection last year, earned NSAA Setter of the Week honors eight times this season as well as NSAA National Setter of the Week accolades on Oct. 8. She leads the Bruins with 1,268 assists and 28 service aces. She is tied for third with 50 total blocks and is fourth with 266 digs. Galas is also second on the team with 13 double-doubles. She ranks first in the NSAA and sixth nationally in total assists and seventh in assists per game at 10.85.
Athen leads the Bruins and was second in the NSAA with 409 kills and 3.6 kills per set. She is second on the team with 336 digs and third with 50 total blocks and 25 service aces. Athen has recorded a team-leading 18 double-doubles this season.
A second-team selection in 2018, Carson has the highest hitting percentage of any outside in the conference at .252. She is second on the team with 296 kills and has recorded 15 double-digit kill totals this season, including a career-high 23 kills in BU's five-set loss to Dakota State on Oct. 9.
Lipovsky leads the Bruins with a .299 hitting percentage and 88 total blocks. She is third on the team with 234 kills. Lipovsky pounded a season-high 15 kills on .357 hitting in BU's five-set loss to 11th-ranked Grand View University on Aug. 23.
The No. 3-seeded Bruins (25-7, 10-4 NSAA) will take on No. 6-seeded Waldorf (12-18, 4-10 NSAA) at 10 a.m. on Friday in the first round of the NSAA Tournament. The winner of the conference tournament will receive an automatic berth into the NAIA National Tournament.
2019 North Star Athletic Association Volleyball Postseason All-Conference & Postseason Awards
| First Team All-Conference | ||||
| Name | Position | Class | School | Hometown |
| Sierra Athen | OH | So. | Bellevue (Neb.) | Red Oak, Iowa |
| Barbara Briceno | OH | Sr. | Dakota State (S.D.) | Lima, Peru |
| Andrea Carson | OH | Jr. | Bellevue (Neb.) | Ord, Neb. |
| Katie Frohmader | OH | Jr. | Viterbo (Wis.) | Fort Atkinson, Wis. |
| Olivia Galas | S | So. | Bellevue (Neb.) | Bellevue, Neb. |
| Miah Garant | RS | Jr. | Viterbo (Wis.) | Fort Atkinson, Wis. |
| Victoria Johnson | MH | So. | Mayville State (N.D.) | Roseau, Minn. |
| Coree Lipovsky | MH | So. | Bellevue (Neb.) | Fairfield, Neb. |
| Kyra Platzek | OH | Sr. | Waldorf (Iowa) | Ridgeland, Wis. |
| Maya Roberts | RS | Jr. | Viterbo (Wis.) | Watertown, Wis. |
| Elisabeth Tramm | S | Sr. | Waldorf (Iowa) | White Bear Lake, Minn. |
| Jayden Warner | L | Sr. | Mayville State (N.D.) | Mayville, N.D. |
| Kenzie Winker | OH | Fr. | Viterbo (Wis.) | Holmen, Wis. |
| Samantha Zell | MH | Sr. | Dakota State (S.D.) | Huron, S.D. |
| Second Team All-Conference | ||||
| Name | Position | Class | School | Hometown |
| Lexi Begger | MH | Jr. | Presentation (S.D.) | Wibaux, Mont. |
| Hannah Bliss | RS | Sr. | Mayville State (N.D.) | Nevis, Minn. |
| Hanna Jellema | RS | So. | Dakota State (S.D.) | Brandon, S.D. |
| Rekha Drevlow | MB | Jr. | Viterbo (Wis.) | Lake Mills, Wis. |
| Kadara Marshall | MB | Sr. | Dickinson State (N.D.) | Hilo, Hawaii |
| Lauryn Sobasky | S | So. | Viterbo (Wis.) | Inver Grove Heights, Minn. |
| Haylee Biel | MB | Sr. | Presentation (S.D.) | Java, S.D. |
| Elora Passa | S | Fr. | Mayville State (N.D.) | Barnesville, Minn. |
NSAA Volleyball Player of the Year: Olivia Galas – Bellevue (Neb.)
NSAA Volleyball Offensive Player-of-the-Year: Katie Frohmader – Viterbo (Wis.)
NSAA Volleyball Defensive Player-of-the-Year: Jayden Warner – Mayville State (N.D.)
NSAA Volleyball Setter-of-the-Year: Olivia Galas – Bellevue (Neb.)
NSAA Volleyball Freshman-of-the-Year: Kenzie Winker – Viterbo (Wis.)
NSAA Volleyball Coach-of-the-Year: Ryan DeLong – Viterbo (Wis.)
NSAA Volleyball Assistant Coach-of-the-Year: Michelle Warren – Mayville State (N.D.)
