NIACC's Tobin earns all-American honors

MASON CITY - For the second straight season, NIACC's Grace Tobin has been selected as an NJCAA Division II honorable mention all-American.

Tobin, a sophomore from Mason City, is the first two-time all-American in volleyball in school history. Other NIACC volleyball all-Americans are Mindy Hunt, a second-team selection in 1995, and Kennedy Meister, a first-team pick in 2019.

"We couldn't be more proud of Grace and all she has accomplished the past two seasons," NIACC volleyball coach Chris Brandt said. "She will be the first person to humbly say she couldn't have done this without her team or support from her family, but we also need to recognize the work she has done outside of our gym to be the athlete and amazing young woman who earned this award."

Tobin, an outside hitter, led the ICCAC in kills per set (4.31) and overall kills (634), which ranked second in NJCAA Division II. Tobin also had 481 digs, 74 blocks and 49 ace serves.

Tobin's 634 kills ranks first on NIACC's single-season kills list. She ranks second in career kills (934) and trails only Meister (2018-19), who is the all-time leader with 989.

Tobin ranks 10th on school's career digs list with 678. Tobin's 481 digs in her sophomore season ranks 10th on the schoo's single-season digs list.

"For people who love sports, you have most likely read or watched some show about athletes who put in the time when no one is watching – this is Grace," Brandt said. "She works hard to be a better version of herself in the weight room, on the court, in the classroom and equally hard to be a faith-driven person of high character.

"Earning this all-American status for two consecutive seasons is an amazing accomplishment and I hope other young athletes will use her as an inspiration and hold their selves to a higher standard if they also want to achieve big things (on and off the court.)"

Tobin was one of six players from the ICCAC to earn NJCAA Division II all-American honors.

Earning first-team honors from the ICCAC were Iowa Central's Alesha Johnson (setter) and Angel Baylark (middle blocker) and Kirkwood's Emily Strauss (outside hitter).

Earning second-team honors from the ICCAC were Kirkwood's Katie Kopriva (right-side hitter) and Iowa Central's Kaitlyn Steffes (outside hitter).