KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- In announcements made today by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), sophomore rightside hitter Kealy Kiviniemi earned third-team All-American honors by both organizations, and Allie Kerns received honorable mention accolades from the AVCA.
Kiviniemi garnered first-team all-NSAA and AVCA all-North Central Region honors during her first season with the Bruins. She led the Bruins with 380 kills and was second with a .287 attacking efficiency. Kiviniemi finished fourth on the team with 68 total blocks.
She was named the NSAA Attacker of the Week on two occasions (Sept. 25 and Oct. 30). Kiviniemi recorded double-figure kill totals in 25 matches, including 16 straight from Sept. 20 through Nov. 10. Kiviniemi recorded a season-high 16 kills in BU's five-set loss to fifth-ranked Viterbo on Sept. 20.
Kerns earned first-team all-NSAA and AVCA all-North Central Region accolades this season. She was second on the team with 353 kills and third with 79 total blocks. Kerns registered 114 digs and eight service aces on the season. She recorded double-figure kill totals in 19 matches.
Kerns produced a season-high 17 kills in the Bruins' five-set loss to Indiana Tech on Aug. 26. She collected a double-double with 12 kills and 11 digs, along with six blocks in Bellevue's 3-1 win over No. 18 Central Methodist on Sept. 1.
The Bruins finished the 2023 season with a 26-10 overall record and a No. 18 national ranking, advancing to the NAIA National Tournament for the 16th time in school history. BU tied for second in the NSAA regular-season standings, finishing with an 8-4 conference ledger. The Bruins placed second at the NSAA Post-Season Tournament.
