Handful of Bluejay players get all-conference nod after 12-0 season

Five Three Lakes varsity volleyball players were selected to the Northern Lakes all-conference team last week, the conference announced earlier this month.

Head Coach Betsy Gruszynski was also named the NLC Coach of the Year for her leadership and success on the sidelines.

The conference waits until the final team from the conference finishes its postseason run to release the season’s all-conference selections.

Junior Malia Szews was a unanimous first-team selection for the Bluejays, with junior Kate Koshuta and sophomore Kaylynn Klein being second-team recipients. Juniors Ava Muetlein and Bella Kowalkowski were honorable mention selections.

“Twenty-seven players were nominated for all-conference in the Northern Lakes Conference. We are honored that five of our players were selected to receive recognition,” Coach Gruszynski said.

The Bluejays had another great season within the conference, finishing 12-0 for a second consecutive season and had some top-tier statistical leaders.

Szews proved to be a tough opponent at the net once again during her junior season as the leading returning outside hitter on the team.

Coming off leading the team in the kills category as a sophomore, Szews did so once again as a junior with 127 kills in NLC play. Based on season conference stats, Szews ranked second in the conference in total kills with over 343, which she accumulated throughout all matches.

The junior also led Three Lakes with 102 digs over the 12 conference matches. Szews also registered 10 aces and six blocks in those games.

Koshuta did much of her damage this season up at the net, which propelled her to a second-team all-conference selection. She finished the NLC slate with 10 total blocks, 68 kills (third on the team), 26 digs and 12 aces from the service line. Koshuta was an honorable mention selection last season.

Klein joined Koshuta in the jump from honorable mention to second team this season. The sophomore was second on the team in kills during NLC play with 82. She was also a rotation player and collected 91 digs, eight total blocks and 25 aces in those 12 games.

Setting was one of the biggest questions heading into the season, with a four-year starter graduating ahead of this past season. Those questions were answered quickly, as Muetlein stepped into the role and succeeded early. Her honorable mention season included 288 assists in conference play. She was also first in the entire conference in total assists with 663 on the year.

Kowalkowski was one of the five players selected this season from the Bluejay roster. She finished her NLC season with 75 digs, six total blocks, 23 aces and 51 kills.

Coach Gruszynski also said the whole team worked together throughout the season, which helped pass around good performances in a season with 30 wins, an undefeated conference season and a regional championship.

“Relying on four players who played all six rotations allowed us to build strong connections so that the players knew who they were surrounded by and could support each other well.”

All five all-conference players, plus more, will likely return to the team next fall.