The Midwest Collegiate Conference has announced its volleyball all-conference honors for the 2009 season. Twenty-three athletes were recognized as part of the all-conference teams as voted by the coaches, including 14 to the First Team and nine to the Honorable Mention Team.

Grand View freshman outside hitter Devon Jensen (Underwood, Iowa) was named both the MCC Newcomer of the Year and the conference's Player of the Year. Jensen far and away led the MCC in kills (4.23 kpg), piling up a total of 605 kills over 38 matches. She also was second on her team in digs with 484 (3.38 dpg), tied for second on the Vikings in blocks (68) and also was second in service aces with 28.

Viking sophomore Amber Boevers (Sumner, Iowa) was named to the MCC First Team and senior setter Ashtyn Neill (Council Bluffs, Iowa) to the Honorable Mention Team. Boevers led the MCC in digs (5.35 dpg) and Neill was the MCC leaders in assists (8.70 apg).

"We are so excited and proud that Devon was named both Newcomer of the Year and Player of the Year," said Grand View Head Coach Tina Carter. "It was a lot of fun this season to coach her and I personally enjoyed watching her grow and improve within our system. She is an incredible athlete and a student of the game. She is constantly pushing to learn more, is always asking what she can do to improve and is incredibly coachable. Devon leads by example, works hard and is one of the most competitive players I've coached. Devon really stepped up as a freshman and showed that she was able to handle anything that we asked her to do. As evidenced by the success we shared this year, it isobvious that Devon was a critical component and earning these awards is a great honor for her, our coaching staff and the Grand View volleyball program."

Carter joined Jensen among those receiving some of the conference's highest honors as she was named MCC Coach of the Year. She led the Vikings to a 24-14 overall record and 7-1 conference record for a second-place finish in the MCC in the regular season. In her second year as GVU coach, she oversaw the Vikings' rise from seventh in the MCC last year up near the top of the league this year.

"Tina Carter is a very deserving recipient of the MCC Volleyball Coach of the Year award," said Grand View Athletic Director Troy Plummer. "She and her staff have worked diligently to elevate the competitive level of our volleyball program in the last two years. The increase in the number of wins is obvious, but even more impressive is the preparation and effort of the team. We are extremely proud of the success of this year's volleyball team and Coach Carter's influence on that success."