Waltz and Leenstra are Chosen Honorable Mention All-NWC

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University volleyball players Shannon Waltz (So., MH, Honolulu, HI/La Pietra HS) and Madisyn Leenstra (Jr., MH/OH, Bellingham, WA/Sehome HS) have been named Honorable Mention All-Northwest Conference in voting by the league's head coaches.

Overall, a total of 25 athletes were named to the 2011 All-NWC Volleyball Team. Seven players were selected for the First Team, with six players on the Second Team and 12 players chosen for Honorable Mention.

Waltz led the Bearcats with a .220 hitting percentage. She registered 119 kills during the season (1.49 avg.) and ranked second on the team with 20 service aces (0.25 avg.). She topped the defensive chart with 63 total blocks (7 solos, 52 assists), as she averaged 0.79 blocks per set. She earned 10 kills against Pacific University on Oct. 7 and achieved another 10 kills versus Lewis & Clark on Oct. 29.

In two seasons at Willamette, Waltz has provided the Bearcats with 222 kills, an average of 1.49 kills per set, and an impressive .241 career hitting percentage. She also has produced 114 blocks (0.77 avg.).

Waltz played in all 25 matches this season (23 starts) and saw action in 80 sets. In 2009, she played in all 25 matches (12 starts) with a total of 69 sets played.

Leenstra was Willamette's leader in kills (221) and total attacks (677). She also ranked first on the team with 2.83 kills per set. She attained a .195 hitting percentage. Against Lewis & Clark on Oct. 1, she achieved a career-high 21 kills in a 3-1 win over the Pioneers. She had 10 or more kills 10 times.

During her three years with the Bearcats, she has played in 71 matches with 51 starts (213 sets played). She has 413 career kills to go with a .202 career hitting percentage. She has accumulated 121 blocks in her career (0.57 avg.).

Willamette, which featured a young team with no seniors on the roster, concluded the 2011 season with an 8-17 overall record, including 5-11 (7th place tie) in the NWC. Head Coach Tom Shoji finished his fourth season leading the Bearcats.

Kaimi Rocha, a senior outside hitter from Whitworth University, was chosen NWC Player of the Year, while Samantha Lau from Linfield College was named NWC Libero of the Year. Whitworth Head Coach Steve Rupe was voted NWC Coach of the Year.