by Mackenzie McMahon
Hope College setter Tracy Westra has been selected as the 2021 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Volleyball Most Valuable Player by the league's coaches.
The senior from Clarendon Hills, Illinois (Timothy Christian HS) is the Flying Dutch's fifth MIAA MVP and the first since Andrea Helminiak in 2009. Hope was the league champion this season.
Westra headlines the 2021 All-MIAA Teams that includes four teammates, including libero Maggie Wehrmeyer, the MIAA's Defensive Player of the Year.
Both Westra and Wehrmeyer made the All-MIAA First Team as well along with middle blocker McKenna Otto. Middle blocker Charlotte Brecht and outside hitter Ana Grunewald made the All-MIAA Second Team.
Hope's MIAA MVPs and Defensive Players of the Year
Hope's All-MIAA First Team honorees
Westra leads the MIAA in assists at 10.76 per set. The environmental engineering major is ranked sixth in NCAA Division III in assists per set.
A first-time MVP, Westra also is averaging 2.26 digs, 1.25 kills, and 0.64 blocks per set.
Head coach Becky Schmidt said the offense the Flying Dutch runs takes a talented setter to effectively execute.
"Tracy does that and more," Schmidt said. "She is able to identify vulnerabilities in opponent defenses and attack them through her setting distribution. Playing at the top of her game has made it possible for her teammates to play at the top of theirs."
Wehrmeyer is ranked first in the MIAA and 13th nationally at 5.69 digs per set.
This is Wehrmeyer's second All-MIAA honor. Last spring, the sophomore from Holland, Michigan (West Ottawa) made the second team and also was named MIAA Freshman of the Year.
"Maggie has got more defensive range than almost any libero we have ever had and she continues to improve," Schmidt said. "She is also a consistent passer, tough server and does an incredible job balancing a fun spirit with an intense competitive drive."
Otto is earning All-MIAA First Team honors for the fourth time. The senior from Wheaton, Illinois (Wheaton North) joins Jenna Grasmeyer (2011-14) and Holly Vandenberg (1986-89) in accomplishing that feat for the Flying Dutch.
A biomedical and biomechanical engineering major, Otto is ranked in the MIAA fourth at 3.14 kills per set and fifth with a .307 hitting percentage.
"McKenna has been a dominating hitter since she arrived in our program, and this year is no different," Schmidt said. "It is uncommon to have a middle hitter capable of playing the back row or hitting a wide variety of sets. McKenna is an uncommon player. We are thankful for her many gifts and leadership."
Brecht, a biology major from Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan (Grosse Pointe South), is ranked second in the MIAA in blocks per set at 0.99 and 25th at 1.52 kills per set. This is Brecht's first All-MIAA recognition.
"Charlotte is an imposing blocker and an attacker that demands attention from our opponent," Schmidt said. "She works hard to be available in transition and is only getting better with every match."
Grunewald (Grand Rapids, Michigan / East Grand Rapids) tops the MIAA at 0.52 service aces per set. The senior is also seventh at 2.95 kills per set and 18th at 2.74 digs per set.
A biomedical/bioelectrical engineering major, Grunewald previously was selected as All-MIAA twice: in the 2021 spring season and 2019 fall season, both as first-team honorees.
"If you want to find a tough, gritty, and driven student-athlete or teammate then look no further than Ana," Schmidt said. "Her determination and ability to rise to the challenge is exceptional and I am so proud of her and the impact she has on our program."
Schmidt also recognized the role of the five honorees' teammates in their All-MIAA recognition.
"We are proud of the achievements of these impressive student-athletes, we also recognize that their success wouldn't be possible without the amazing efforts and attitudes of their 14 teammates," Schmidt said. "We value the contribution every one of them makes to our team's success!"
