Walkowiak Central POY, Four RMAC Players Picked

Kearney, Neb. - Nebraska-Kearney senior volleyball players Katlyn Heiserman, Cola Svec and Jeri Walkowiak have been voted to the 2010 Daktronics All-Central Region team.

The team was released November 24th. Sports information directors nominate and vote on the makeup of the team; a total of 14 players are selected (seven on the first and second teams).

Heiserman (Manchester, Iowa) earned first-team honors with Svec (Elkhorn) and Walkowiak (Grand Island) making the second-team. In a twist, Walkowiak was also chosen as the Region Player of the Year.  Heiserman will now move onto the national ballot where she could earn All-American honors.

Outside of the Lopers, the only other RMAC player voted to the team was Metro State junior outside hitter Bri Morley.

Svec is a repeat second-team pick while Walkowiak made the first-team in 2008. This is Heiserman's first selection to the squad.

In 2010, Walkowiak led UNK in kills (3.63) and blocks (0.89) per set while ranking second in attack percentage (.340). Getting her the ball was Svec, who ranked among the national leaders in assists (11.96) while also serving up 29 aces and digging 3.33 balls per set. Finally, Heiserman recorded 649 digs this fall, good for an average of 5.28.

This all-region team was started in 2000. Daktronics is recognized worldwide in its industry as the leading designer and manufacturer of electronic scoreboards, programmable display systems, and large screen video displays using light emitting diode (LED) technology. Founded in 1968, Daktronics has close ties to South Dakota State in Brookings, S.D.

First Team
Megan Carlson ^, Concordia-St. Paul, junior, outside hitter, Andover, Minn.
Bri Morley ^, Metro State (Colo.), junior, outside hitter, Parker, Colo.
Kayla Koenecke, Concordia-St. Paul, freshman, outside hitter, Delano, Minn.
Emily Palkert ^ ! $ , Concordia-St. Paul, senior, middle hitter, Excelsior, Minn.
Devin Diedrich, SW Minnesota State, junior, middle hitter, Braham, Minn.
Katlyn Heiserman, Nebraska-Kearney, senior, libero, Manchester, Ia.
Amanda Konetchy, Concordia-St. Paul, freshman, setter, Victoria, Minn.

Second Team
Brooke Burmeister, SW Minnesota State, sophomore, outside hitter, Lakefield, Minn.
Kate Lange, Minnesota Duluth, freshman, outside hitter, Hibbing, Minn.
Katie Kuffel, Minnesota Duluth, senior, outside hitter, Brookfield, Wisc.
Jeri Walkowiak !, Nebraska-Kearney, senior, middle blocker, Grand Island, Neb.
Jennifer Hefner % @, Wayne State, senior, middle hitter, Archer, Neb.
Leigh Connot, Wayne State, junior, libero, Lincoln, Neb.
Cola Svec %, Nebraska-Kearney, senior, setter, Elkhorn, Neb.

Central Region Player of the Year
Jeri Walkowiak, Nebraska-Kearney, senior, middle blocker, Grand Island, Neb.

^ = First Team selection in 2009 (Central Region)
% = Second Team selection in 2009 (Central Region)
! = First Team selection in 2008 (Central Region)
@ = Second Team selection in 2008 (Central Region)
$ = Second Team selection in 2007 (North Central Region)