2024 NJCAA DI VOLLEYBALL ALL-AMERICA TEAMS
Ottumwa, IA – The Indian Hills Volleyball team collected a pair of National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-American honors on Tuesday as sophomores Sara Van Gisteren (Leuth, Netherlands/Young Talent Academy ROC Nijmegen) and Ana Carolina Westerich (Blumenau, Brazil/Colégio Energia) were named to the prestigious postseason teams.
Van Gisteren was named to the NJCAA All-America First-Team to become just the second two-time All-American in program history. Westerich, the nation's assists leader in 2024, was named to the NJCAA All-America Second-Team. The duo become the 18th and 19th NJCAA All-Americans in program history as the Warriors have now produced NJCAA All-Americans in four consecutive years.
"Two incredible humans who bonded this team over the past two seasons," stated head coach Lyndsey Michel. "They had big shoes to fill and they didn't shy away from the challenge. Excited to see where their paths lead. Amazing athletes but two incredible young women who will continue to lead with purpose and inspiration."
Van Gisteren capped an unprecedented career at Indian Hills with her third-career All-American honor to date. As a freshman last season, Van Gisteren was named to the NJCAA All-America Second-Team and the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Third-Team. The outside hitter exceeded her efforts during the 2024 campaign that re-wrote the Indian Hills record books.
"Sara has made it clear with her ability to hit the ball, and the record-breaking numbers she's recorded, that she is the real deal," Michel added. "Her recruiting journey continues, but regardless of her next stop on this journey, she will make a big impression for what JUCO athletes are made of."
Van Gisteren led the nation in both kills (678) and total points (783.5) on the year. The 678 kills set a new Indian Hills single season school record, just the second player in program history to surpass 600 kills in a single season. Van Gisteren tallied double-digit kills in all but two matches on the year, including 13 matches with at least 20 kills and a program record 31 kills in a conference matchup against Iowa Western Community College.
The sophomore led the Warriors with 69 service aces on the year while ranking third on the team with 278 digs. Van Gisteren tallied 11 double-doubles on the year, including two at the national tournament. Van Gisteren added a career-high 63 total blocks in 2024.
For her career, Van Gisteren departs Indian Hills as the single season (678) and career kills record holder (1,131) and ranks fourth all-time with 143 career service aces.
INDIAN HILLS VOLLEYBALL RECORD BOOK
A two-time NJCAA All-Region 11 First-Team selection, Van Gisteren was also named to the NJCAA All-Tournament team after guiding the Warriors to the national tournament for the second consecutive year. Van Gisteren was named Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) DI Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week seven times on the year and was twice named the NJCAA Athlete of the Week along with one AVCA National Player of the Week honor.
Westerich produced a stellar sophomore campaign from the setter position for the Warriors. After a standout freshman season, Westerich paced the Warrior offense with a NJCAA-best 1,401 assists, the only individual in the nation to surpass 1,400 assists during the 2024 season.
"Ana is a big gift in a tiny package," Michel continued. "She's been filled with motivation and a sauce that not many setters come with built in. Her passion for excellence is unmatched. Her IQ for the game made her 5'6" self play like a 6'5" setter. She challenged her teammates daily, and made us better every time we stepped on the court."
Westerich, who was named to the NJCAA All-Region 11 First-Team, played in 140 sets on the year to finish the season with 10.01 assists/set, the fourth-best mark in the nation. Westerich tallied 17 matches with at least 40 assists, including a career-high 61 assists in a win over Des Moines Area Community College.
Westerich made contributions on both sides of the net for the Warriors as the setter added 41 kills on a .388 hitting percentage while tallying 53 service aces. The sophomore also added 259 digs along with 29 total blocks, both career-high numbers for the Brazil native.
Westerich wrapped up her two-year career with 2,733 total assists, fifth-most in Indian Hills history.
The sophomore earned ICCAC Athlete of the Week honors for the week of September 9-15.
Head coach Lyndsey Michel has now led 12 NJCAA All-Americans in her 13-year career at Indian Hills. 2024 marks the third consecutive year that the Warriors have garnered two individual All-Americans in the same season. Van Gisteren joins former standout Mariana Rodrigues (2018-19) as the only two-time NJCAA All-American for the Warriors.
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