EAST PEORIA, Ill. – Four UIndy volleyball players were recognized by the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) on Thursday night at the annual postseason banquet, including three all-league selections and one James R. Spalding Sportsmanship honoree.
 
Katie Furlong and Alyssa Spears were tabbed unanimous All-GLVC First-Team members, while Taylor Jacquay was voted to the league's second team. Redshirt-freshman Emma Jones was selected as UIndy's sportsmanship nominee.
 
"We're so proud of each of our all-conference recipients," said head coach Jason Reed. "The recognition from the rest of the league is a testament to their hard work; however, we know these awards don't come without the support and dedication of every member of our program."
 
Furlong posted her second straight All-GLVC First-Team selection, and first unanimous decision, after leading the Greyhounds in points/set (4.00) and kills/set (3.74) during her junior campaign. The Galena, Ill., native hit .270 in 105 sets, while also adding 58 digs and 28 blocks defensively.
 
"It's a really tremendous honor, but I wouldn't be the player I am without my teammates," said Furlong. "I'm really excited for the rest of the weekend. I'm so grateful for all the opportunities I've received while being part of this program."
 
In 15 conference matches, Furlong averaged 3.74 kills/set to rank fifth in the GLVC over 50 sets of action. She attacked at a .255 clip against league opponents, totaling 187 of her 403 kills this season in conference play.
 
"Katie has been one of our go-to players all year long, and it's been to watch her grow and develop over the past few seasons," said Reed. "With as many great player as there are in the GLVC, this is a very special and well-deserved honor."
 
After earning All-GLVC Second-Team laurels twice in her career, Spears concludes her collegiate tenure with a unanimous all-league first-team selection as a senior. The setter led the GLVC with 11.66 assists/set in league play, totaling 583 helpers in 50 sets.
 
"It's very heartwarming to know that the coaches around the league recognize the hard work that all the players put in," said Spears. "Playing in such a competitive conference and against my teammates every day has helped me develop and grow, and it has been an honor to be a part of that process."
 
Overall, Spears ranks ninth in NCAA Division II with 11.36 assists/set this season. Last Saturday against Drury on Senior Day, the Heltonville, Ind., native surpassed 3,000 career assists at UIndy. With her 940 helpers at St. Joseph's College as a rookie in 2016, Spears is now just 37 assists from 4,000 in her career.
 
"Alyssa has worked diligently to improve in all areas of her game," Reed said of his senior setter. "I'm thrilled for her, and believe she more than deserves this."
 
Jacquay earns her first All-GLVC selection, marking the first time since 2013 that UIndy has placed more than two players on the lists.
 
The New Haven, Ind., native recorded 3.24 kills/set in league play, while hitting .229. The junior also scooped up 2.12 digs/set as a six-rotation outside hitter.
 
"I feel blessed to be recognized in a conference as great as ours," Jacquay said. "Our program has worked incredibly hard to change the culture over the last few years, and the hard work is paying off."
 
"We would not have had the success we have had this year without Taylor on the floor," said Reed. "Night in and night out, she has come to work and has done such a great job in all areas of the game."
 
The Greyhounds play Drury in a GLVC Championship Tournament quarterfinal match tomorrow evening at 6:30 p.m. from the EastSide Centre in East Peoria, Ill.

2019 ALL-GLVC VOLLEYBALL POSTSEASON AWARDS
2019 GLVC Player of the Year:  Karli Reichert, Sr., Attacker, Rockhurst
2019 GLVC Libero of the Year:  Megan Woll, So., Missouri-St. Louis
2019 GLVC Freshman of the Year:  Jayme Scott, Attacker, Bellarmine
2019 GLVC Coach of the Year:  Ryan Young, Missouri-St. Louis
 

FIRST TEAM Jayme Scott, Fr., Attacker, BU KATIE FURLONG, Jr., Attacker, UINDY ALYSSA SPEARS, Sr., Setter, UINDY Colleen Wilhelm, Sr., Attacker, LEWIS Ava Venema, Jr., Attacker, LEWIS Emilee Schlader, Sr., Attacker, S&T Selena Nolte, Sr., Attacker, UMSL KAILEEN HERMAN, Jr., Setter, UMSL Charlotte Richards, So., Attacker, UMSL MEGAN WOLL, So., Libero, UMSL Karli Reichert, Sr., Attacker, RU Alyssa Woodman, Sr., Attacker, RU DANI PRUSHA, Jr., Setter, RU Lauren Wacker, Sr., Libero, TSU

SECOND TEAM Kristen O'Toole, Jr., Setter, BU Makina Wratten, So., Attacker, DU Julia McCown, Fr., Attacker, DU Becca Blakeley, So., Setter, UIS Brianna Bush, Jr., Attacker, UIS Jailyn Borum, Sr., Libero, UIS Allison Splitt, Sr., Attacker, UIS Taylor Jacquay, Jr., Attacker, UINDY Alexandra Preuss, Sr., Attacker, LEWIS Hope Gramly, So., Attacker, MCK Kylie Rudsinski, Sr., Attacker, UMSL Mary Rolf, Sr., Attacker, RU Jadyn Makovicka, Fr., Libero, RU Makayla Knoblauch, So., Setter, QU

2019 GLVC JAMES R. SPALDING SPORTSMANSHIP NOMINEES
Abbie Oetting, BU
Paige Perry, DU
Rachel Cobert, UIS
Emma Jones, UINDY
Caroline Stefanon, LEWIS
Kat Finnerty, LWU
Allison Lakin, MU
Alex Tinnin, MCK
Kiernan O'Boyle, S&T
Madsy Richards, UMSL
Alaina Rothermich, QU
Emma Kriete, RU
Casey Cepicky, USI
Makenzie Bouse, SBU
Meghan Gasper, TSU
Maddie Wingert, WJC
 
2019 GLVC JAMES R. SPALDING SPORTSMANSHIP TEAM AWARD
Truman State