Blackburn Volleyball recognizes Senior Annika Ochs

Blackburn Volleyball recognizes Senior Annika Ochs

 

The Blackburn Women's Volleyball team was defeated by Westminster 3-0, by the scores of 25-12, 25-13, 26-24 on Thursday October 31st.

 

Senior Defensive Specialist Annika Ochs was recognized as the lone senior for the Beavers. Ochs played for three years and is on the Women's basketball team. In her three years she played in 75 total matches, tallying up 628 digs and 26 serve aces.

 

  • Blackburn had a total of 130 attacks compared to Westminster's 121. Junior outside hitter Kaitlyn Wiegand led the Beavers with eight kills. The Blue Jays were led by Ashley Kistaitis, who had twelve kills.
  •  Junior setter Kendall Burleyson continues to add to her assist total as she was credited to 17 assists to go along with three serves aces.
  • Defensively Freshman Libero Amanda Swedberg led Blackburn with 19 digs.

 

 

The 2019 was a success as the Beavers exceeded expectations and finished 9-17 (8-10 SLIAC) which is good for 6th in conference under first year coach Morgan Hauser. Hauser was assisted by first year coach Kendall Knop and Quentin Parmenter. Eight conference wins is a new school record and is the best conference finish in almost 20 years. The Beavers overall win total was nine which is one more than last year. The Beavers did not just improve on win total but also in overall statistics. Blackburn has someone in the top ten in each statistical category in the SLIAC.

 

Burleyson holds the school record for assists, single season aces, career aces, and is second in single season assists. She is credited with 1676 assists, 53 aces this season, 127 career aces, and 716 assists this season. With Burleyson only being a junior she will be a big part in the teams success next year.

 

            Sophomore middle hitter Lucy Magnussen finished 5th in Blackburn history with 254 kills in a single season. Magnussen improved greatly from last year and will have a important role next year.

 

Swedberg finished the season with 442 digs which is good for 2nd in school history in a single season. She also tallied up 49 aces. With Swedberg only being a freshman and competing in every game she will be another big piece in Hauser's plan.

 

Blackburn had one of the best volleyball seasons in school history and plans to improve on that next year. It will be Hauser's 2nd year under the helm and returning all of her players but one, the expectations will be high.