Leenstra Garners All-West Region Honor

By John Lind, Assistant Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, ORE -- The awards keep coming for Willamette University volleyball player Madisyn Leenstra (Sr., OH/MH, Bellingham, WA/Sehome HS). One week after becoming the first Bearcat in eight years to be named First Team All-Northwest Conference, Leenstra was named an Honorable Mention selection on the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-West Region Team.

The AVCA All-West Region Team is compiled by votes from coaches in the region. Leenstra was one of twenty players named to the team. There were 14 First Team selections plus six players receiving Honorable Mention.

Leenstra wasn't the only player from the Northwest Conference represented on the All-West Region team. Six other players, including three from Pacific Lutheran, two from the University of Puget Sound, and one from Whitman College gave the NWC seven representatives.

Leenstra has been no stranger to awards this season. She was named to the All-Tournament Team early in the Bearcats' season when Willamette participated in the 2012 Star Classic in Chicago, Ill. She also was chosen as the NWC Volleyball Student-Athlete of the Week twice during the season. Leenstra capped off her season by earning First Team All-NWC honors.

While helping Willamette close the season strong to finish at 9-14 (7-9 NWC), Leenstra put together impressive individual statistics for the Bearcats. She led the team with 284 kills, 829 total attacks and 3.30 kills per set, while hitting .230 and contributing 25 service aces. Leenstra recorded double-digit kills in 14 games during the season, including a season-high 28 kills versus Lewis & Clark College on Oct. 5.

Defensively, Leenstra recorded a career-best 182 digs (2.12 avg.) as well as 42 total blocks (0.49 avg.) in 2012.

During her career with the Bearcats, Leenstra played in 94 matches and 299 sets. She achieved 697 kills to go with a .213 career hitting percentage. Leenstra also accumulated 316 digs and 163 blocks in her career (0.55 avg.).