LEXINGTON, Ky. – The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced its regional awards Thursday afternoon, with Nora Holtan (Jr., Rochester, Minn.) and Kate Holtan (Fy., Rochester, Minn.) named to the Division III All-Region Central Team, Kate named Central Region Freshman of the Year, and Brittany Luethmers (Jr., Prior Lake, Minn.) receiving honorable mention honors.
Nora Holtan receives her second consecutive nod on the All-Region team, adding on to her long list of accolades. After passing the 3,000 assist mark in her career near the midway mark of the season, Holtan guides the Gustie offense, averaging 9.94 per set. She is also dangerous on the attack with a .284 hitting percentage, going along with 152 kills, 311 digs, and a team-best 35 aces. Holtan registered double-double numbers in 15 matches, including two triple-double performances.
Gustie libero Brittany Luethmers earns her first AVCA regional honor as the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Co-Defensive MVP. Luethmers leads the team with 502 digs, averaging 4.97 per set. Having played in all 101 sets, Luethmers owns a .966 receiving percentage with a slim mark of 12 errors on 349 attempts. She has also posted 21 aces and has tallied double-digit dig totals in all but two matches this season. With 1,638 career digs, Luethmers ranks third all-time among the Gustavus career dig leaders.
After her older sister garnered the Central Regional Freshman of the Year honor two seasons ago, Kate Holtan follows up the performance after also receiving the MIAC Rookie of the Year award. In her first season in Black and Gold, Holtan has played in every set and leads the Gustie attack, registering the most kills ever by a Gustie first-year with 329 to break Olivia Warren’s first-year record of 308 kills in 2008. During the regular season, Kate led all newcomers in the MIAC with 3.27 kills per set. Holtan has totaled double-digit kill numbers in 20 matches while recording eight double-doubles along with a .243 attack percentage and 22 aces.