Saints' Hughes named all-conference

Former Northwestern Tiger volleyball player Nikki Hughes was among seven College St. Scholatica Saints named to the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference volleyball team for the 2011 season.

Hughes, who was a first team All-UMAC selection a year ago, led the Saints with 451 digs this season. She finished third in the conference, averaging 3.92 digs per set and saved her best for the UMAC Tournament with her top two dig totals for her career in the semifinals and championship. For her efforts, Hughes was named the UMAC Tournament MVP.

CSS junior outside hitter Anna Zyvoloski was named the 2011 UMAC Volleyball Player of the Year. He award marks the second consecutive season a Saint has received the honor with Paige Hardy earning the accolade a season ago.

Joining Zyvoloski on the first team were fellow juniors Paige Hardy and Sarah Kurtovich.

Junior Taylor Tyllia was also an honorable mention pick and Cortney Rykken was named to the UMAC All-Sportsmanship team.

Kaylie Clark of Minnesota-Morris was named the conference's Defensive Player of the Year. Miranda Maasz of Martin Luther and Emily Auch of Minnesota-Morris were the Co-Rookies of the Year. Rebecca Cox of Martin Luther College was named the UMAC Coach of the Year.

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