Pair of Chargers earn All-American honors in volleyball

Capping two spectacular seasons, Hillsdale College sophomores Ashlee Crowder and Clara Leutheuser earned All-American status from the American Volleyball Coaches Association Monday evening.

Crowder was named Third-Team All-American by the AVCA. Leutheuser, a middle hitter, earned honorable mention All-American status. A total of seven sophomores were named to the First, Second or Third-Team All-American lists.

Crowder, an outside hitter, was named the GLIAC Tournament MVP in 2009, leading the Chargers to their first-ever conference tournament title. Her 491 kills were third-most in a single season in school history, and she finished second in the GLIAC in kills and kills per set. She was named First-Team All-Region by both Daktronics and the AVCA last week.

Leutheuser was one of the most efficient offensive and defensive players in this region in 2009. She finished the season leading the GLIAC in both blocks per set and in hitting percentage. Leutheuser and

Crowder were also named to the All-Midwest Region Tournament on Nov. 21, after guiding Hillsdale to the tournament semifinals for just the second time in school history.

The last Charger to earn AVCA All-American status was outside hitter Melissa Bartlett, following the 2007 season. Taryn Rudland was also named First-Team All-American after the 2006 season.