SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The Yellowjacket volleyball team saw three players earn postseason awards from the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC), as the conference released its winners in an announcement Thursday.
 
Junior Jenna Anderson (Bemidji, Minn./Bemidji) led the Yellowjacket award winners, who was slated to the All-UMAC First Team as well as the Co-Defensive Player of the Year, splitting the honor with Marylyn Schroyer from Northwestern. Senior Kaylin Plautz (Elk River, Minn./Elk River) picked up a second team citation, while junior Maiana Stark (Germantown, Wis./Germantown) was selected to the honorable mention squad.
 
Senior Kielan LaPlante (Chatfield, Minn./Chatfield) represented the 'Jackets on the UMAC Sportsmanship Team.
 
Anderson put together another strong season in 2023, besting her previous preseason awards with a first team selection after earning second team honors as a freshman and sophomore. Starting in all 29 matches and playing in 98 of 99 sets, Anderson also aided the offensive attack for the Yellowjackets, accounting for 16 points, 108 assists and 14 service aces. Defensively Anderson currently holds a firm grasp of the team and conference with 565 digs, averaging 5.77 per set. Her best defensive match came against Minnesota Morris on Oct. 27, digging a season-high 35.
 
After named to the honorable mention squad as a junior in 2022, Plautz boosted her preseason award in 2023, earning a spot on the All-UMAC Second Team. Starting in all 29 matches and playing in 96 of 99 sets, she currently leads the Yellowjackets with 314.5 points, averaging 2.71 kills per set and 3.28 points per set. Plautz also leads the team in kills with 260 (sixth-best in the UMAC) and sits second-best with an attack percentage of .303 (third-best across the circuit). Her defensive output was also strong, digging 102 throughout the campaign and tallying 22 solo blocks and 55 assisted blocks.
 
Stark adds another postseason award under her belt, receiving a second team honor in 2022 and an honorable mention citation in 2023. She carded 280.5 points in all 29 matches and 95 sets, averaging 2.95 points per set. Sitting in tenth place with 2.58 kills per set across the UMAC, Stark lands herself in second place for the Yellowjackets while swinging for a .168 attack percentage. From the service line, she added 17 aces which was good for third best on the team. Defensively Stark dug 316, averaging 3.33 per set while adding 43 assisted blocks throughout the season.
 
The Yellowjackets will play in the UMAC Championship match against Northwestern. Scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 11, first serve is set for 7 p.m. inside Ericksen Center.