RELEASED:  Friday, December 4, 2009

UW-Oshkosh’s Cahoon Named National Player of the Year; Eight Earn AVCA All-America Recognition

MADISON, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh’s Christina Cahoon was named the 2009 Nfinity/American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) NCAA Division III National Player of the Year to lead the eight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) individuals earning recognition on the AVCA NCAA Division III All-America Team.

Also receiving first team honors was UW-Oshkosh’s Jacque Ray.  UW-Whitewater’s Caitlin Hogan was a second team choice, while UW-Oshkosh’s Katie Beining was a third team pick.  Honorable mention selections included:  UW-Oshkosh’s Aleisha Bagin and Katelyn Vara, UW-Platteville’s Melissa Hillebrand and UW-River Falls’ Kelsey Scheele.

Cahoon claimed AVCA All-America First Team honors for the second straight year and is the third individual in WIAC history to earn the national award, joining UW-Oshkosh’s Amy Ward (1996) and UW-Whitewater’s Allison Erickson (2001). 

Bagin was recognized as the 2009 AVCA NCAA Division III Midwest Region Freshman of the Year and the remaining seven individuals claimed All-Midwest Region First Team laurels.  UW-Eau Claire’s Kristen Moore and UW-Whitewater’s Alyssa Bauer and Keri Klotzbuecher received honorable mention status. 

UW-Oshkosh head coach Brian Schaefer was named the 2009 NCAA Division III Midwest Region Coach of the Year for the third time in his career.  He also won the award in 2005 and 2008.  In 2009, Schaefer directed the Titans to the 10th WIAC championship in program history and a spot in national semifinals for the first time since 1996.  UW-Oshkosh posted a 29-match winning streak to being the season and finished the season with a 39-3 mark.