Three Tigers Claim AVCA DIII All-America Honors
The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced their 2022 All-America list with three more Wittenberg Tigers earning the coveted designation.
Junior, Tyler Linkhart earned First Team status, distinguishing herself as not only one of the hardest hitters in the North Coast Athletic Conference but all of division III. Linkhart amassed 349 kills, averaging 3.71 kills/set, ranking amongst the top 50 in the nation at 46th. The Yellow Springs native, closed out the season ranking 51st in division III for hitting-percentage, with a .333 clip. A two-time First Team All-NCAC selection, Linkhart claimed back-to-back NCAC All-Tournament Team honors. Playing in 94 sets over 28 matches throughout the season, Linkhart solidified her name in the Tiger record books with a 27-kill night against Transylvania.
Graduate Senior, Katie Hiestand closed out her Wittenberg career, earning Second Team All-America designation. A three-time First Team All-NCAC selection and back-to-back NCAC Tournament MVP, Hiestand has been the foundation for this Tiger squad, appearing in 390 sets over the span of 113 matches during her career. This season, Hiestand eclipsed the 1,000 career-kill and 1,000 career-dig mark, closing the book with 1,216 total kills and 1,208 career digs. For the third time, Hiestand tallied 300+ kills on a single season, finishing with 330. Hiestand cracked the top 100 in the nation, averaging 3.51 kills/set, coming in at 81st. The Canton, Ohio native, notched 320 digs, while getting up on 38 blocks.
Junior, Mack Ricketts collected Third Team All-America honors. Ricketts tabbed 990 total assists on the season, averaging 10.42 assists/set, ranking 22nd in the nation. Earning First Team All-NCAC for the first time in her career, Ricketts led the conference in a multitude of categories, including aces per set, assists per set, total assists and total service aces. Ricketts averaged nearly an ace per set, cracking the top 15 in the nation, as one of the most lethal service players from the back line. Of the course of the season, Ricketts eclipsed the 2,000 career-assist mark, ending the season with 2,045.
This is the third time multiple Tigers have earned All-America status under Head Coach Evelyn Carus-Miller. With four Tigers earning the designation in her first season at the helm in 2018, Karen Wildemann and Aubrey Cox (Second Team) along with Taylor Yontz and Kennedy Schmidt (Honorable Mention). Dakota White is the most recent Tiger to capture the All-America honor, after the 2021 season. Coach Miller has now guided 10 Tigers to this distinguished honor.