September 3, 2007

Cazemier Garners GNAC Award

BILLINGS, Mont. – Montana State University Billings senior Alicia Cazemier has been named the Great Northwest Athletic Conference volleyball player of the week for the week of Sept. 3, 2007. 

The 6-foot-0 middle blocker from Vauxhall, Alberta, had 73 kills, 35 digs, 16 blocks and six service aces to lead the Yellowjackets to four wins in the Days Inn-Denver West Oredigger Classic in Denver over the weekend. Cazemier averaged 4.29 kills per game and hit .275 (73-24-178) in wins over Colorado School of Mines, Mesa State, Western State and Western New Mexico.  She had 22 kills, two short of her career high, and hit .439 in Saturday’s win over WNMU. 

Alicia Cazemier

MSU Billings was one of just two teams to go 4-0 at the Oredigger Classic.  Cazemier was named to the all-tournament team, the only Yellowjacket to receive the honor.  For the season Cazemier is averaging 4.40 kills and 1.13 blocks per game.  She’s also averaging 2.13 digs per game as her defensive role has been expanded.

“Right now Alicia is taking the leadership role for our team as a communicator and motivator,” said Yellowjacket head coach Sara Schaub.  “She’s also producing on the court even though the teams we play know she’s our go-to player.  She always has a double block in front of her, but she’s still finding success despite that.  She’s on the court all the time and is becoming a primary passer off the serve.  She’s doing a good job taking on that new role.”

Cazemier entered 2007 as the career school record holder for total blocks, solo blocks, and hitting percentage.  With 15 block assists last weekend, she now also holds that school record with 291.  The next record on Cazemier’s radar is career kills.  Her 1,142 kills place her third all-time, 234 behind Jessica Bratton’s 1,376.  She is 146 kills behind Olivia Munro for second on the Yellowjacket career list.