SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – The Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) announced its 2017 women’s volleyball postseason awards Thursday (Nov. 2), highlighted by Owens Community College’s Sonny Lewis and Niki Polce named the OCCAC Coach of the Year and Player of the year, respectively.
Polce is also the recipient of the OCCAC Libero of the Year award while Allie Rutter of Columbus State Community College was voted the conference’s Setter of the Year. Freshman of the Year honors went to Iesha Niciu (Lakeland Community College).
Lewis and Polce guided the Express to its third-consecutive undefeated OCCAC mark while also remaining flawless overall at 34-0 entering postseason play. This also represents the third season in a row in which a member of the Owens volleyball team earned league player of the year accolades. Polce played in all 34 matches, racking up 439 digs (4.03/set) as a defensive specialist. She was a force from the service stripe as well, pacing Owens with 40 aces.
ALL-OCCAC FIRST TEAM
Erika Angstmann (Owens)
Sarah Bettinger (Sinclair)
Michaela Eisenhauer (Owens)
Devon Heitkamp (Owens)
Kasey Helmstetter (Edison)
Sarah Leighliter (Cuyahoga)
Iesha Niciu (Lakeland)
Brittney O’Hara (Lakeland)
Niki Polce (Owens)
Allie Rutter (Columbus State)
Caroline Smith (Sinclair)
Mackenzie Zauner (Lorain)
ALL-OCCAC HONORABLE MENTION
Alana Carrion (Lorain)
Carrigan Gray (Owens)
Brandi Lanning (Hocking)
Haley Litman (Columbus State)
Cary Morin (Lakeland)
Kaye Paraon (Cuyahoga)
Katelyn Partlow (Clark)
Baylee Pursifull (Sinclair)
Noel Ufferman (Edison)
OCCAC ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
Michaela Eisenhauer (Owens)
Sarah Leighliter (Cuyahoga)
Iesha Niciu (Lakeland)
Katelyn Partlow (Clark)
Baylee Pursifull (Sinclair)
Noel Ufferman (Edison)