Lange Chosen NSIC Player Of The Year; Four Other Bulldogs Land All-NSIC Acclaim

Nov 7, 2012

Northland Sports Online

There’s no way the University of Minnesota Duluth would be positioned toward the top of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference without significant contributions from several impact players. Five of those Bulldogs were recognized with the release of the All-NSIC teams, including junior outside hitter Kate Lange, who has been named the league’s Player of the Year.

In addition to Lange, Ashley Hinsch, Julie Rainey, Monica Turner and Kalli Lochner each landed spots on the All-NSIC First Team.

A 2011 first team All-American, Lange put together another spectacular season as an all-around contributor and the focal point of the University of Minnesota Duluth offense in 2012. The Hibbing, Minn., native racked up 313 of her 460 kills against NSIC competition, far and away the league’s most prolific total behind an average of 4.97 kills per set. She also scooped 175 digs (2.65 per set) and posted 41 total blocks against one of the most competitive conferences in the country.

Lange boasts an NSIC-leading average of 5.64 points per set with two matches remaining in the regular season. Lange, who became the 16th Bulldog to blast 1,000 kills in a career earlier this season, claimed NSIC Offensive Player of the Week Honors on three occasions this fall (Sept. 10, Sept. 17 and Oct. 1) and took down AVCA National Player of the Week Honors Sept. 18.

A rookie setter from Zumbrota, Minn., Hinsch stepped in to take over as UMD’s starting setter in the second week of the season. She currently ranks third in conference play with 749 assists (12.08 per set), setting for a Bulldog squad that is hitting .273 on the yar. Hinsch has recorded five double-doubles against NSIC opponents — and four in her last five outings — this season. Her defensive contributions include 153 digs and 32 total blocks.

Rainey has spent the last two seasons wearing the alternate jersey, holding down the liberal positions in both her seasons of on-court action at UMD. After taking a red shirt in 2010, the sophomore has dug more balls than any Bulldog over the past two years, and has a team-leading 468 saves to her credit in 2012. The Stewartville, Minn., native has come away with 306 digs (4.86 per set) in conference play, good for third in the NSIC. Rainey was an all-conference honorable mention selection a year ago.

Turner wasted no time getting acclimated to collegiate volleyball, quietly becoming one of the most efficient offensive weapons in the entire NSIC in her debut campaign. Turner has attacked at a .352 clip (a figure bested by just two others in the conference) on her way to posting 164 kills in league play, helping UMD to a conference mark of 16-2. With two matches remaining in the regular season, the New Prague, Minn., native has reached double figures in kills on five occasions and hit .400 or better three times against NSIC competition.

An all-region performer in 2011, Lochner picked up where she left off in her final collegiate go-around, reaching double digits in kills in four of the Bulldogs’ first five matches. In conference play, the Cross Plains, Wis., native hammered 155 kills while hitting a sparkling .335. One of UMD’s two senior captains, Lochner has recorded 244 kills and hit .348 overall this season, with a team-leading 62 total blocks.

The Bulldogs wrap up the regular season this weekend at Romano Gymnasium. UMD look to remain unbeaten at home when it plays host to Minot State University and the University of Mary on Friday and Saturday.

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