EN
Elizabeth Niestrom
  • physical education
  • Class of 2019
  • Downers Grove, Ill.

Darien's Niestrom of UW-Whitewater Volleyball Earns All-WIAC Honors

2017 Nov 2

Elizabeth Niestrom, a native of Darien, IL, and graduate of Hinsdale South High School, was one of four members of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater volleyball team who were recognized by the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference as the league announced its all-conference teams and award winners.

Junior defensive specialist Brittany Robinson (Menomonee Falls, Wis./Menomonee Falls) was tabbed WIAC Defensive Player of the Year, the program's seventh player of the year overall and first since Kelsey Nobilio (Defensive, 2014).

Senior right side hitter Sydney Racky (Walworth, Wis./Big Foot) and senior middle hitter Courtney Wagner (DeKalb, Ill./DeKalb) joined Robinson on the first team. Wagner is now a two-time first team honoree, while Racky and Robinson each garnered honorable mention accolades a season ago.

Junior setter Elizabeth Niestrom (Darien, Ill./Hinsdale South) earned honorable mention, her first career All-WIAC recognition.

Robinson also earned a spot on the WIAC All-Defensive Team for the third time in her career.

All four players have helped the Warhawks to a 21-7 record, including a 5-2 mark in WIAC play. The team visits UW-Eau Claire Thursday at 7 p.m. in the WIAC Tournament semifinals.

Robinson leads the conference with 5.79 digs per set and has a total of 602 digs entering Thursday's match. She also ranks 15th in the conference with 30 service aces. Robinson earned WIAC Defensive Player of the Week honors four times during the season and All-Tournament team accolades three times.

Wagner leads the conference with 111 blocks (1.08 per set) and is fourth in hitting percentage (.271), fifth in points (362.5 / 3.52 per set) and ninth in kills (294 / 2.85 per set). She earned All-Tournament team nods at the UW-Whitewater Invitational (Sept. 8-9) and the Trinity Fall Classic (Sept. 15-16).

Racky leads the team and ranks among WIAC leaders in kills (299 / 2.93 per set) and service aces (38) and is seventh in the league in both hitting percentage (.256) and points (356 / 3.49 per set). She was selected WIAC Offensive Player of the Week for Sept. 18-24 and to the All-Tournament Team at the UW-Oshkosh Invitational (Oct. 21).

Niestrom leads the league in assists per set (10.72) and enters Thursday's match with 185 digs (1.83 per set) and 54 blocks (0.53 per set), good for second on the team. She garnered WIAC Offensive Player of the Week accolades for Oct. 9-15.

Senior Shelby Clifton (Mountain Grove, Mo./Mountain Grove) was named UW-Whitewater's representative on the WIAC All-Sportsmanship Team.