Blankenship and Hargrave Earn All-NWC Volleyball Honors

By Sara Elcano, Assistant Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, ORE. Two members of the Willamette University volleyball team were recognized as All-Northwest Conference following the 2010 season. Senior Molly Blankenship (OH, Spokane, WA/Spokane Falls CC) was named Second Team All-NWC. Teammate Carly Hargrave (Fr., MH, Happy Valley, OR/Clackamas HS) was named Honorable Mention All-NWC.

Blankenship concluded her two seasons at Willamette with 545 total kills, including 309 kills as a senior. She earned a .187 hitting percentage. She finished her senior season with 45 total blocks and 18 service aces.

Blankenship hit double-digit kills in 18 matches this season and 31 times in the past two seasons. She was named Honorable Mention All-NWC following the 2009 season.

Hargrave earned 166 kills in her first season as a Bearcat. She recorded double-digit kills in six matches and finished the season with a .244 hitting percentage. Hargrave was a force at the net, earning 84 total blocks, including 18 solo blocks. She was one of just three freshmen to earn All-NWC honors this season.

After winning the team championship, Whitworth University Head Coach Steve Rupe was named Coach of the Year. Kaimi Rocha, also of Whitworth, was named NWC Player of the Year.

The Bearcats finished the season with a 9-16 overall record and a 5-11 NWC record. Willamette tied for 7th place in the conference.