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PRINTER FRIENDLY BLUE HAWK ROSTER
Dickinson State is excited to announce the recent signings of two area prep stars: Afton Garland from Sidney, Mont., and Shaunda Dvorak from Dickinson. They will enroll at DSU in the fall and play for the nationally ranked Blue Hawks volleyball team beginning in 2008.
The 6’ 0” Garland will come to DSU to play outside hitter. With the support of her parents David and Tracy, Afton was an Academic All-State and All-Conference for the Eagles. Afton was also a Wendy's Heisman selection in Montana for academic excellence and community service. As an outstanding student she should make a natural transition as a TR Scholar at DSU.
Head Coach Dave Moody commented that "We're delighted to have such a quality person join our volleyball family at DSU. Afton has all the attributes we look for in a recruit. She's intelligent, athletic and a great person. We look forward to working with Afton to assist her in meeting her short term and long term goals."
Another tall, talented athlete, Dvorak, will also may a great impact for the Blue Hawks. Shaunda, who had an excellent career at Dickinson High School, is 5’ 11” and will be looked upon to bring much strength to DSU as a middle blocker. She was an All-WDA selection in volleyball and comes to DSU to earn her degree in Nursing. Her parents, Eddy and Gina have given Shaunda a solid foundation to help ensure her success at Dickinson State. Coach Moody feels confident that Dvorak is ready for the next level, stating that "As a local product, we're especially excited to have Shaunda in our volleyball program. She is truly a positive person with a great upside in volleyball. She has tons of room for growth and may surprise a few people with her development in the years to come. It's always nice to have a quality student, person and athlete like Shaunda who wants to stay right here and be a difference maker." Blue Hawks' Inconsistency at Region III Tournament Costs Dearly
Dickinson State’s season is over. After a 1-1 split in their “pool-play” competition, and then losing the tie breaker game, the Blue Hawks were unable to reach the championship match this weekend in Sioux Falls, S.D. Certainly, the have played well and have been a properly recognized program, but at other times their play has been inconsistent too, and this time the price to pay was severe.
To be invited to the national competition was then left up to the discretion of NAIA officials and a hope that DSU would be given one of the five at-large bids. To do so, the Hawks had to rely upon the strength of their history to gain one of the at-large bids, but after their own struggles and a few upsets in the various region tournaments, DSU was ultimately left on the outside looking in.
They had a wonderful season and will have to settle for a 30-4 record, another DAC championship and the individual honors that have already been bestowed and will likely continue. The Blue Hawks were ousted from the Region III tournament by the inspired play of Northwestern College. First the Red Raiders toppled DSU in straight games (31-29, 30-19, 32-30) of their “pool-play” competition, then, because of a tie-breaker was needed, the two teams faced-off again in a single-game format and NC repeated the trick on Saturday, 30-24. The Hawks already defeated Dordt College to earn that opportunity, 30-27.
National American University defeated NC (30-22, 28-30, 30-21, 30-24) to win the Region III championship and they gained the automatic national berth, but the Red Raiders still found access to the big dance via an at-large invitation.
In their first match, DSU defeated Dordt, 3-1 (24-30, 30-14, 30-18, 30-22). Nancy Nyongesa had 21 kills, Elizabeth Castillo had 15 and Judith Boel added nine. Castillo (five aces) and Boel (four) combined for nine serving aces against the Defenders. Neslihan Yilmaz, NAIA Hall of Fame Inductee, to be Honored at DSU Alumni and Foundation House
The driving force of Dickinson State's 2000 NAIA National Championship has been properly recognized by her sport. For her outstanding achievements, Neslihan Yilmaz, the NAIA Player of the Year in 2000, will be formally inducted in the NAIA Hall of Fame at this year's tournament in Columbia, Mo., November 28 to December 1.
Individuals inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame must be persons of outstanding quality, high moral character, fine leadership ability and must be held in high esteem by their colleagues, former coaches and former athletes.
"The NAIA is proud to recognize an impressive Hall of Fame class. These individuals represent character-driven intercollegiate athletics and the proud tradition of the association," said NAIA President and CEO Jim Carr. "It is an honor to celebrate these admirable student-athletes, coaches and athletic administrators for their roles in sport. The NAIA looks forward to honoring each inductee at NAIA events throughout the year." The Hall of Fame consists of a division for each sport currently or formerly sponsored by the association and a division for general meritorious service to the NAIA. Each sport division is divided into three categories: athlete, coach and meritorious service.
Yilmaz, a native of Istanbul, Turkey is the Blue Hawk career leader in kills (2648), kills per game average (5.12) and digs (1979). She also holds the record for kills in a match (53) and in one season (774).
Neslihan Yilmaz exemplified the discipline, character, persistence, concern for others and sportsmanship necessary to grow as a student-athlete, leader and person while playing volleyball at Dickinson State from 1996 to 2000. She clearly exemplified the attributes of the NAIA's Champions of Character program and her individual and team performance improved each year during her career. Yilmaz was named All-American all four years, 2000 NAIA Player of the Year and 2000 NAIA Championships Player of the Year. Her contribution to the DSU Blue Hawk volleyball team was highlighted by a National Championship title during her senior year.
Her presence and actions on the court, at Dickinson State University and in the community exemplified the very essence of character-driven intercollegiate athletics.
Yilmaz will be honored on Monday November 26 from 4-5:30 pm at the Dickinson State University Alumni and Foundation House. The entire DSU community welcomes your attendance. Click here for More Articles >> For more information call (701)-483-2120 |
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