Kansas Wesleyan volleyball's Elizabeth Hardacre (JR/Kensington, Kan.) and Emily Monson (SR/Cheney, Kan.) have been named as both NAIA and AVCA-NAIA Honorable Mention All-Americans as selected by the NAIA All-American Committee and the American Volleyball Coaches Association's NAIA Volleyball All-America Selection Committee.
Hardacre averaged 2.76 kills and 1.05 blocks per set for the Coyotes from her middle hitter position, earning first-team honors. Her .325 hitting efficiency ranked fourth in the KCAC. She ranked second in the KCAC in blocks per set. She ranked in the Top 40 in blocks per set and hitting efficiency in the NAIA.
Last month, Monson earned a repeat performance as KCAC Defender of the Year along with being named First Team All-KCAC, averaging 6.07 digs per set on the season, and upped her average to 6.44 digs per set in conference play. She also ranks seventh in the NAIA in digs per set and No. 16 in total digs. Earlier this season, Monson became to career leader in digs per set and total digs in KWU history.
The duo helped the Coyotes to a 21-9 record in 2021.
Nada Meawad of Park (Mo.) has been named the 2021 NAIA Player of the Year and Attacker of the Year. Meawad was also the player of the year in 2018 and 2020. The outside hitter recorded a total of 595 kills on the season for an average of 5.09 kills per set. The senior also posted a season-high of 28 kills vs Providence (Mont.) in the quarterfinals. Because of having the COVID year, Meawad is now a five-time first team All-America.
Manuela Vargas of Missouri Baptist has been named the 2021 NAIA Setter of the Year. Vargas recorded a total of 1,104 assists on the season in 89 sets played for an average of 12.4 assists per set. The setter posted a season-high 63 assists against Northwestern (Iowa) in the quarterfinals.
Ariana Macies of Missouri Baptist has been named the 2021 NAIA Defender of the Year. Macies recorded 87 digs on the season for an average of 5.77 digs per set. The libero set a season-high of 34 digs against Ottawa (Kan.).
Mike Talamantes of Park (Mo.) has been named the 2021 NAIA Coach of the Year. Talamantes led the Pirates to a 34-3 overall record and runner-up finish in his 11th season. The team advanced to the championship match for the third time in school history this season. Talamantes surpassed 300 wins at the end of the 2020 season and after the 2021 season has amassed a record of 342-59.