FROM STAFF REPORTS
GRAND RAPIDS -- Calvin senior libero Kelsey Sears (Traverse City) has been named a third-team All-American by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.
A two-year starter at libero for the Knights, Sears was a two-time MIAA Specialty Player of the Week this fall and was named to the all-MIAA first team for the second straight year.
She was also named to all-tournament teams at invitationals hosted by Ohio Northern and Wittenberg. Last week, Sears was named to the Great Lakes All-Region team. Over the course of the season, Sears compiled 581 digs in 118 sets for an average of 4.92 digs-per-set. She also recorded 34 service aces.
Calvin finished the season 28-7, winning the MIAA tournament title and earning a trip to the NCAA Division III tournament.
DULEY, BURNS HONORED: Aquinas College's Kelsey Duley (Cadillac) was selected to the all-Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) third-team in soccer.
Duley and Kaitlyn Burns (Traverse City West) were among four Saints picked to the all-WHAC academic team.
MADISON RECOGNIZED: Ohio Wesleyan sophomore midfielder Belle Madison (Charlevoix) was named first-team all-North Coast Athletic Conference in women's soccer.
Madison led the Bishops in scoring with five goals, including two game-winners. She had two assists this season.
RAMSAY 29th, TREECE 30th: The Notre Dame women's cross country team won the Great Lakes regional championship Saturday.
The Irish placed five runners in the top 40. Marissa Treece (Glen Lake) was 30th in 21:57.99.
The Irish scored 94 points, winning the title for the first time since 2003, and automatically qualified for the NCAA championships.
Toledo freshman Devyn Ramsay (Benzie Central) placed 29th in 21:53.55. Ramsay was the third freshman to finish the race, and the second Toledo runner across the line.
Ramsay missed All Region honors by three places. Toledo finished sixth.
FURSTENBERG A SCHOLAR-ATHLETE: University of Tennessee-Martin senior midfielder Jamie Furstenberg (Traverse City West) has been named one of six Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Scholar-Athletes for the 2008-09 season.
The award is given annually to three men and three women student-athletes of junior or senior status for their accomplishments in the classroom and on the field.
Furstenberg is the first Skyhawk soccer player to ever earn the award.
Despite missing all but two games due to an injury in 2009, Furstenberg ranks in three all-time top-10 statistical categories in program history -- matches started (58 of 59 career matches), goals (seven) and assists (five).
She earned a spot on the OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll all three seasons she was eligible and also won an OVC Medal of Honor for the 2007-08 and 2008-09 academic school years for her 4.0 GPA. A psychology major, Furstenberg currently sports a 3.97 overall GPA.
BANKSTON RECEIVES AWARD: Ferris State freshman linebacker Max Bankston (Frankfort) won the "Tomorrow's Team Defensive Player of the Year Award" at the football team's banquet.
STEPHENSON STARS: Wisconsin-Eau Claire freshman goalie Brandon Stephenson, who played for the Traverse City North Stars last season, made the most of his first collegiate starts over the weekend.
Stephenson stopped all but three shots in two games against eighth-ranked Wisconsin-River Falls. The Blugolds lost 2-1 on Friday and tied River Falls 1-1 on Saturday.
Eric OHearn (Traverse City Central) had an assist in Friday's game. Stephenson had 29 saves.
On Saturday, Stephenson posted 34 saves.
GILDE PICKED: Grand Valley defensive lineman Alex Gilde (McBain) was selected to the all-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Association (GLIAC) first-team.
Grand Valley, the five-time defending GLIAC champion, is preparing for the NCAA Division II playoffs. The Lakers received a first-round bye and will play league rival Hillsdale on Saturday at Lubbers Stadium.
