NDSU's Miron, Fassbender and Rasmusson Honored

ELMHURST, Ill. – Three North Dakota State University volleyball players were honored by The Summit League on Thursday, Nov. 20, following the conclusion of the regular season. Sophomore middle blocker Emily Miron was named to the All-Summit League Team, junior outside hitter Jenni Fassbender earned honorable mention recognition, and freshman setter/right side Brianna Rasmusson claimed a spot on the league’s Freshmen Team.

Miron, who was also named to the Freshmen Team and earned honorable mention last season, ranked fourth in The Summit League this year with a hitting percentage of .303. She upped her hitting percentage to .322 in league play. Miron’s 67 total blocks in league matches were the second-most in the league, behind only Melissa Firtko of South Dakota who had 79.

Miron hit .375 or better in 13 matches this season, setting a new career-high with 19 kills against South Dakota State on Sept. 30 and again in a win over Fort Wayne on Nov. 14.

Fassbender was All-Summit League a year ago as a sophomore. She ranked fifth in the league this season with an average of 4.05 points per set and was sixth with 3.50 kills per set. Fassbender’s 34 service aces tied for the fourth-best total in the conference. She has five matches this season with 20 or more kills.

Rasmusson played in all 30 matches and started 28 times for the Bison, averaging 3.52 assists and 1.97 digs per set while also ranking third on the team in blocks.

The Fergus Falls, Minn., native had two close calls with triple-doubles in her first eight collegiate matches. She posted 21 assists, 15 kills and eight digs in a 3-2 win over Robert Morris on Aug. 30. Rasmusson finished one kill short vs. UMKC on Sept. 12 with 16 assists, 14 digs and nine kills.

NDSU opens Summit League Tournament play on Friday at 3:30 p.m. (CT) against Oral Roberts, with the winner advancing to take on top-seeded Denver in the semifinals on Saturday.

2014 All-Summit League Volleyball Teams

All-LeagueNola Basey, Denver, So., OH
Sydney Dimke, South Dakota, Jr., OH
Melissa Firtko, South Dakota, Sr. MH
Kaitlyn Hickey, IUPUI, Jr. OH
Beth Howard, IUPUI, Sr., DS/L
Brittany Jessen, South Dakota, Fr., S
Bailey Karst, Denver, Sr., S
Kendall Kritenbrink, South Dakota, Sr., OH
Laura Milos, Oral Roberts, Fr., OH
Emily Miron, North Dakota State, So., MH
Sarah Schmid, Denver, Jr., MH
Emily Spencer, Fort Wayne, Sr., OH

Honorable MentionKate Acker, Denver, Sr., DS
Jenni Fassbender, North Dakota State, Jr., OH
Somer Johnson, Fort Wayne, So., OH
Ann Miller, Western Illinois, Sr., OH
Sara Pope, Oral Roberts, Sr., OH
Kelly Wachtel, IUPUI, Jr., RS

Freshmen Team
Lucija Bojanjac, Oral Roberts, S
Gabrielle Fisher, IUPUI, OH
Mackenzie Horkey, Omaha, OH
Brittany Jessen, South Dakota, S
Laura Milos, Oral Roberts, OH
Sydney O'Shaughnessy, Omaha, S
Brianna Rasmusson, North Dakota State, S

Player of the Year
Emily Spencer, Fort Wayne

Defensive Player of the Year
Beth Howard, IUPUI

Setter of the Year
Bailey Karst, Denver

Freshman of the Year
Laura Milos, Oral Roberts

Coach of the YearSteve Payne, IUPUI