NIACC's Meister earns 1st team all-American honors

MASON CITY - Kennedy Meister made history on Thursday.

Meister, a 5-foot-9 inch sophomore from Janesville, became NIACC's first first-team all-American in the sport of volleyball as the outside hitter was selected to the NJCAA Division II first-team all-American team. Meister is the second volleyball all-American in school history.

"Kennedy has worked so hard for this recognition," NIACC coach Chris Brandt said, "and we are so proud of her as well as the team.

"We know she couldn't be where she is today without a strong team effort. Kennedy has a solid volleyball platform, but like all high-level athletes, she has a drive to compete and get better. She had to get bigger, faster and stronger for this season as well as work on her sport performance skills and leadership."

In 1995, NIACC's Mindy Hunt became the school's first-ever all-American selection as she was a NJCAA second-team selection.

Meister was instrumental in guiding the Lady Trojans to an overall record of 31-10 and a berth in the NJCAA Region XI-B title match. The Lady Trojans placed second in the ICCAC in the regular season and hosted the NJCAA Region XI-B tournament.

Meister led NIACC with 581 kills in the 2019 season, which is tied for first with Hannah Wagner (2018) on the school's all-time single-season list. Meister also accumulated 573 digs (tied for fourth on the school's single-season list), 66 ace serves and 55 blocks.

Meister was selected as the ICCAC offensive player of the week for the week of Sept. 30-Oct. 6.

She is the school's all-time leader in kills with 989 and first in career digs with 1,146.

Iowa Central's Amaya Finley, a sophomore outside hitter, was also a first-team all-American selection. The Tritons' Kealey Anderson, a freshman outside hitter, was a second-team all-American and Northeast's Josie Sanger was a second-team selection.

DMACC's Amber Dilsaver and Kirkwood's Anna Gorsich were honorable mention all-American selections.

MEISTER NOTES

Meister's 2019 season: Was selected as the ICCAC offensive player of the week for the week of Sept. 30-Oct. 6 ... Was selected to all-tournament team at Iowa Central Triton Invitational ... Was selected to the NJCAA Region XI-B all-tournament team ... Was a first-team all-ICCAC selection ... Was a first-team all-NJCAA Region XI-B selection.

Meister's 2019 season highs:

Kills - 29 vs. DMACC (9-4-19)

Digs - 24, twice.

Assists - 5 vs. St. Ambrose JV B (10-18-19)

Ace serves - 7 vs. Kirkwood (10-2-19)

Blocks - 3, three times.

Meister's 2018 season: Was second-team all-ICCAC selection ... Was second-team all-NJCAA Region XI-B selection.

Meister's 2018 season highs:

Kills - 25 vs. Southeastern (9-12-18)

Digs - 25, twice.

Assists - 5 vs. Iowa Lakes (10-24-18)

Ace serves - 5, twice.

Blocks - 4, four times.

Meister's career highs:

Kills - 29 vs. DMACC (9-4-19)

Digs - 25, twice.

Assists - 5, twice.

Ace serves - 7 vs. Kirkwood (10-2-19)

Blocks - 4, four times.