Wayne, Neb. — Wayne State College had four players voted to the 2021 NSIC All-Conference Volleyball Team announced Thursday morning by the league office in Burnsville, Minnesota. Redshirt freshmen Taya Beller and Maggie Brahmer were named First Team All-NSIC while sophomore outside hitter Kelsie Cada and sophomore setter Rachel Walker each collected Second Team All-NSIC accolades.
Beller, a 6-2 middle hitter from Lindsay (Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family HS), averaged 2.82 kills and 0.86 blocks per set for the Wildcats this season to earn First Team All-NSIC recognition. She ranks seventh in the NSIC with a .346 attack percentage and is 14th in points per set at 3.41. Beller has 14 matches of 10 or more kills, highlighted by a season-best 16 vs. MSU Denver in the championship match of the Colorado Premier Tournament September 11th. She was named to the Colorado Premier All-Tournament Team and was the NSIC Defensive Player of the Week September 27th. In 18 NSIC matches so far this season, Beller accounts for 2.81 kills and 0.97 blocks while posting a .331 attack percentage.
Brahmer, a 6-0 middle hitter from Pierce (Pierce HS), produces 2.65 kills and 0.90 blocks per set while leading the NSIC and ranking second in NCAA Division II with a .455 attack percentage. She has been a steady performer in the middle this season for the Wildcats with 11 matches of 10 or more kills that includes a season-best 14 kills vs. Upper Iowa on October 22. Brahmer also had a 10 block match at Southwest Minnesota State on October 30th. She was named NSIC Offensive Player of the Week October 4th and selected to the Colorado Premier All-Tournament Team. In NSIC matches this season, Brahmer is averaging 2.84 kills and 1.08 blocks per set with a .462 attack percentage.
Cada, a 6-0 outside hitter from Wahoo (Bishop Neumann HS), was a Second Team All-NSIC selection after averaging 3.15 kills and 3.22 digs this season. She ranks 12th in the league in kills per set, 13th in digs and 13th in points per set (3.67). Cada has seven double-doubles this season and has a team-high 16 matches with double digit kills and also leads the team in service aces with 27. Her season-highs include 16 kills vs. Winona State October 23 and a career-best 24 digs vs. Augustana October 28. Cada was named to the Dallas Baptist All-Tournament Team to open the season. She averaged 3.15 kills and 3.50 digs in 18 NSIC matches this season for the Wildcats.
Walker, a 5-9 setter from Lincoln Southwest HS, averages 10.36 set assists and 1.93 digs per set to earn Second Team All-NSIC honors. She ranks fifth in the league this season in assists per set and has two double-doubles. Twice this season, Walker was named NSIC Setter of the Week (September 13 and October 11) and was named to the Colorado Premier and Dallas Baptist All-Tournament Teams. She had a career-best 54 set assists vs. MSU Denver September 11 and a season-high 16 digs vs. #2 Angelo State of Texas on September 11. In 18 NSIC matches so far this season, Walker is averaging 10.44 assists and 1.82 digs to go with 0.63 blocks for the Wildcats.
Wayne State is 20-6 overall and fourth place in the NSIC with a 13-5 league mark. The 15th-ranked Wildcats close the regular season at home this weekend hosting #11 St. Cloud State Friday night at 6 p.m. and Minnesota Duluth Saturday in a 1 p.m. contest.
