The AVCA is excited to name its 2024 Division II Women’s Volleyball All-Region teams and award winners.
There are 14 All-Region team members and six honorable mention selections for each of the eight Division II regions. Additionally, a Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year, and Coach of the Year were selected for each region.
The 160 student-athletes who earned All-Region honors represent 82 different schools. Angelo State, Lynn, Metro State, and Wingate lead the way with five all-region players apiece, followed by Colorado Mesa, Ferris State, Gannon, and Nebraska-Kearney with four each.
ATLANTIC REGION
Player of the Year: Cassidy Snider, Clarion University, OH, Sr.
Freshman of the Year: Jessica Neiman, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, RS
Coach of the Year: Lorelle Hoyer, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
CENTRAL REGION
Player of the Year: Kenzie Foley, St. Cloud State University, OH, Sr.
Freshman of the Year: Makenna Nold, Concordia University-St. Paul, OPP
Coach of the Year: Chad Braegelmann, St. Cloud State University
EAST REGION
Player of the Year: Victoria Mendez, American International College, S/H, So.
Freshman of the Year: Aleksandra Lucic, American International College, MB
Coach of the Year: Matt Cribbin, American International College
MIDWEST REGION
Player of the Year: Olivia Henneman-Dallape, Ferris State University, OH, Sr.
Freshman of the Year: Alayna Santel, University of Missouri-St. Louis, RS
Coach of the Year: Tia Brandel-Wilhelm, Ferris State University
SOUTH REGION
Player of the Year: Diana Akopova, Barry University, OH, Sr.
Freshman of the Year: Veronika Eremeeva, Barry University, RS
Coach of the Year: Adam Milewski, Lynn University
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION
Player of the Year: Riley Anderson, Metropolitan State University Denver, OH, Sr.
Freshman of the Year: Demi Carter, Angelo State University, RS
Coach of the Year: Chuck Waddington, Angelo State University
SOUTHEAST REGION
Player of the Year: Sydney Morland, Wingate University, MB, R-So.
Freshman of the Year: Maddie Hurst, Carson-Newman University, MB
Coach of the Year: Lauren Tekavec, Wingate University
WEST REGION
Player of the Year: Emily Elliott, California State University, Los Angeles, RS, Sr.
Freshman of the Year: Saren Rogers, Point Loma University, OH
Coach of the Year: Traci Dahl, Cal Poly Pomona
2024 AVCA DIVISION II REGION COACHES OF THE YEAR
The following coaches have been selected as this year’s AVCA Region Coaches of the Year. Each of the honorees can be considered for the AVCA National Coach of the Year, and the awards will be presented at the Coaches Honors Luncheon in Louisville on Dec. 19, at the 2024 AVCA Convention.
ATLANTIC REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
Lorelle Hoyer, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
2024 Record (as of Dec. 3): 23-8
Hoyer has made a mark in her two seasons as the IUP coach. She followed up a 20-win debut season by leading the Crimson Hawks to a 23-8 record and the program’s second conference tournament title. Her team is making its third-straight NCAA appearance, and they enter the championship play on a nine-match winning streak.
CENTRAL REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
Chad Braegelmann, St. Cloud State University
2024 Record (as of Dec. 3): 27-2
Under Braegelmann, the Huskies have been dominant all season long. His St. Cloud State squad is 27-2 with a dozen wins against ranked opponents, including going 18-0 in the rugged Northern Sun to win the conference title. They are No. 2 in the AVCA Division Poll heading into the NCAA regional, which is the school’s highest ranking.
EAST REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
Matt Cribbin, American International
2024 Record (as of Dec. 3): 19-6
Cribbin and American International are back in the NCAA Championship after another successful year. After starting the season 1-6, the Yellow Jackets reeled off 18-straight wins and, along the way, earned the Northeast-10 Conference regular-season and tournament titles. Cribbin also picked up his 250th career win late in the season.
MIDWEST REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
Tia Brandel-Wilhelm, Ferris State
2024 Record (as of Dec. 3): 31-0
Across a 29-year career at Ferris State, Brandel-Wilhelm has had many memorable seasons, but this may be the best of all. The Bulldogs have a perfect 31-0 mark, and they dominated the GLIAC, only losing three sets in conference play all season. Her team rose to the top of the AVCA Poll Nov. 4, and they’ve held the top spot ever since.
SOUTH REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
Adam Milewski, Lynn
2024 Record (as of Dec. 3): 27-3
It has been a memorable year for Milewski’s Fighting Knights. They won the second Sunshine State Conference title in his 10 seasons at the school and head into the NCAA Championship ranked No. 14 in the AVCA Division II Poll, which is the school’s highest-ever ranking. This season, the veteran coach also set the Lynn record for career wins.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
Chuck Waddington, Angelo State
2024 Record (as of Dec. 3): 28-2
The Angelo State coach, who earned his 400th career win in November, is enjoying a memorable 17th season leading the program. Waddington’s 2024 team has rolled to a 28-2 record and won the Long Star Conference Tournament. They have won 16 matches in a row and returned to the Top 10 in the AVCA Division II Poll late this season.
SOUTHEAST REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
Lauren Tekavec, Wingate
2024 Record (as of Dec. 3): 28-2
The second-year head coach has led her team to a 28-2 record and the conference regular-season and tourney titles. Tekavec has put together one of the nation’s most efficient offenses, as Wingate is one of two DII teams hitting over .300 this season. The Bulldogs head into the 2024 NCAA Championship on a 20-match winning streak.
WEST REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
Traci Dahl, Cal Poly Pomona
2024 Record (as of Dec. 3): 23-3
Dahl has guided Cal Poly Pomona to a 23-3 record and another NCAA Championship appearance. The Broncos captured the programs first-even outright conference tournament title and have eight wins against ranked teams. When they ascended to No. 3 in the Nov. 3 AVCA Division II Poll, it marked the highest ranking in program history.
Check out the Division II Awards Archives, which include the All-Region Teams and Award Winners history.