WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Two members of the Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) Grizzly Volleyball team have been named to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I All-American team.
Freshman outside/right side hitter Bianca Salvador was named to the first team, and sophomore middle blocker Kaitlyn Aleshire was named to the second team.
The announcement was made Dec. 3 by NJCAA officials from the organization’s headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Salvador and Aleshire are the 45th and 46th Grizzlies to receive NJCAA All-American honors for volleyball. Salvador is the 20th player to receive first team honors.
“Our campus, community and the Grizzly Athletics family are incredibly proud of the entire Grizzly Volleyball team, but especially the two student-athletes receiving the All-American designation,” said MSU-WP Director of Athletics Rachel Peterson.
“Bianca and Kaitlyn join an elite group of Grizzlies with this well-deserved honor,” Peterson added. “I knew there was something special about these two every time they were on the court.”
More about Salvador
Salvador came to the Grizzlies from Caxias do Sul, Brazil, and immediately made an impact for the Grizzlies. She recorded 435 kills (3.43 per set) on 1,065 attempts and had a .253 attacking percentage this season.
She also had 44 assists, 63 service aces, 388 digs (3.06 per set), 51 blocks (including 12 solo blocks) and recorded 529.5 points.
She earned All-Tournament team honors at the NJCAA Division I Women’s National Volleyball Championship in November and was named the Region 16 Player of the Year this season.
More about Aleshire
Aleshire came to the Grizzlies from Aurora, Illinois, prior to the 2023 season. This past season she recorded 328 kills (2.28 per set) on 697 attempts and had a .323 attacking percentage.
She also recorded 34 service aces, 63 digs, 130 blocks (including 26 solo blocks) and scored 440 points.
Aleshire earned first team All-Region 16 Team honors this season.
For a full list of this year’s NJCAA All-American team honorees, visit NJCAA.org.
For more information about the Grizzly Volleyball team, visit MSUWPGrizzlies.com.
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