Haskell volleyball players win postseason honors

Posted by Oree Foster | Nov 20, 2014 | Volleyball |

FORT DEFIANCE

Former Window Rock standout Aspen Sheperd tips the ball over the net in a recent collegiate game while playing for the Haskell Indian Nation University. Sheperd and Lisa Atcitty, of Shiprock, earned post season awards. (Courtesy photo)

Two Haskell Indian Nation University volleyball players have been selected for postseason honors.

For the second straight season, Aspen Sheperd, of Window Rock, has been selected to the first team all-conference for the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference. Last year Sheperd earned double honors. Sheperd earned a position on the elite team and was honored as freshman of the year.

Haskell setter Lisa Atcitty, of Shiprock, was named to honorable mention MCAC. In addition, Atcitty earned MCAC scholar-athlete honors.

Haskell senior middle hitter Candice Hubbell, of Sanders, Ariz., sophomore defensive specialist Raquel Aguino, of New Laguna, N.M., and freshman outside hitter Nicole Pratt, of Sisseton, S.D., also earned MCAC scholar-athlete honors.

To earn MCAC scholar-athlete honors, the student-athlete must earn a 3.25 cumulative grade point average or higher and have competed at least two semesters at their present institution.

Sheperd, a middle blocker, completed the season with 321 kills and 78 blocks. She recorded 36 solo blocks.

“I am honored to earn all-conference honors for the second straight year,” she said. “We played a challenging schedule. There are many good players. I had a better season this year because I knew what to expect.”

Haskell head coach Nana Allison-Brewer said as a team they were thrilled and appreciative to see Sheperd earn another MCAC first team honor.

“Aspen is a huge force in the middle as a hitter and blocker,” Allison-Brewer said. “This season I was very impressed with her tenacity and passion she demonstrated every match.

“As a sophomore, Aspen consistently grew into a more advance player taking on more blocking assignments and transitioning into an offensive threat with every opportunity,” she said. “It’s been a joy to see her development by her.”