The University of St. Thomas Lady Celts volleyball team won the Association of Independent Institutions (AII) Conference Tournament for the second year by defeating Ohio Dominican in four sets this past weekend, Nov. 12-14.

UST junior volleyball player Lauren Poe was named the Most Outstanding Player at the tournament. Poe was also named to 1st Team All-Conference along with senior Heather Hardy, junior Casey Mulryan and senior Keanne Smith. Junior Courtney Johnson and junior Sarah Curiel-Thompson were named to 2nd Team All-Conference. Jill Reynolds, UST head volleyball coach, was named Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year.

This win advances the Lady Celts to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Volleyball National Championship opening round. The volleyball team will head to Lubbock Christian University on Saturday, Nov. 21 to play the No. 20 Lady Chaparrals.

“The team is thrilled to make Nationals for the second year in a row,” Reynolds said. “We are looking forward play Lubbock Christian this weekend, and hope to continue to the finals.”

The top 24 teams will go to the 30th annual NAIA Volleyball National Championship finals held from Tuesday to Saturday, Dec. 1-5, in Sioux City, Iowa

The Lady Celts defeated Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in bright pink jerseys and flowery pink headbands. The University of St. Thomas volleyball team supported breast cancer awareness month at the second Dig Pink game on Friday, Oct. 23.

The game raised $300 toward breast cancer research. The Lady Celts baked pink homemade goods to sell for donations at the game, and all ticket sales were donated to the cause. The players also decorated the Jerabeck gym with pink balloons and ribbons, and used pink towels throughout the game. They were covered with pink from head to toe with pink jerseys, headbands, nail polish, ribbons and sock, and even the players’ injuries were covered with pink athletic supportive tape.

“We gather as a team to do our part to raise money and support breast cancer in our families and community,” said sophomore volleyball player Catherine Loth.

The $300 went to the Side-Out Foundation in Washington, D.C., which raises money for breast cancer research nationally through college and high school volleyball tournaments, clinics and rallies. This year, 3,000 teams participated throughout the United States

Cancer survivors and their families were honored with pink roses at the game. Toni Crawford was one of those survivors. Crawford, relative of UST sophomore Nicole Hickl, also spoke at the game about her survival story.

“We had a great speaker, who talked about self-exams and regular check-ups not only for women but also men,” said senior volleyball captain Keanne Smith. “Many people are unaware that breast cancer can also affect men. This was an important point for me because my uncle died from breast cancer, and my grandmother had it, too.”

The event was co-sponsored by the UST Health Promotion & Wellness, who provided breast cancer information at the game. Last year, the Lady Celts and Health Promotion & Wellness’s Dig Pink efforts were recognized with the Co-Programming Award at the annual Leadership Awards Banquet.

“The Dig Pink event was a great success as we accomplished all that we set out to do; we raised awareness and funds for breast cancer research,” said Jill Reynolds, head volleyball coach.

Photo Credit: Clifton Wendel

“Heather’s strong competitive spirit in the tournament was obvious, and the other teams’ coaches saw that and nominated her,” Lady Celts Volleyball Coach Jill Reynolds said.

Hardy is the only player that has been part of the program since its inception in 2006.

“It is great honor to be considered by a national rater as a top 25 program for all NAIA institutions in the country,” said Lady Celts Volleyball Coach Jill Reynolds. “It is an amazing accomplishment in three years. I am proud of how far we’ve come, and I am eager to see how much further we can go.”

The Lady Celts are the reigning Association of Independent Institutions (AII) champions, and will start their season against Jarvis Christian College at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 21 at UST Jerabeck Gym.