Queen Bees garner MCC Postseason Honors
By: Dan Tomlin
The Midwest Classic Conference released their women’s volleyball postseason honors today and the conference champion Queen Bees were represented well.
Andrea Brooks (Sr.)
5-9, Outside Hitter, Davenport, Iowa (North H.S.)
 Former Davenport North standout Andrea Brooks has been named the MCC Player of the Year. Brooks, a 5-9 outside hitter, has been a four-year starter and two-year team captain for the Queen Bees. She enters the NAIA Region VII tournament (Wednesday, 7:00 at home against St. Xavier) with 1202 career kills, sixth all-time at St. Ambrose. Her 2101 digs ranks first on the all-time career digs list.
So far this season, Brooks was named to the St. Ambrose Fall Classic All-Tournament Team, was named MCC player of the week three times, and was named Region VII Player of the Week once.
“This is a great honor for Andrea,” head coach Bruce Billingsley said. “I cannot think of a better way for her to end her career than receiving the Player of the Year honor.”
In the classroom, Brooks was named an Academic All-American last year, and should receive the same award this year.
Kelly Grimes (Sr.)
6-0, Rightside Hitter, Bettendorf, Iowa (Bettendorf H.S.)
 Another local senior, former Bettendorf standout Kelly Grimes, was named to the MCC First Team All-Conference. The 3-year starter and 2-year team captain currently ranks fifth on the all-time kills list (1224), and will move into the top four after Wednesday’s game.
Grimes was named MCC Player of the Week once, and Region VII Player of the Week once as well. She was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Augustana Tournament.
“Kelly has been our big gun for the last three years,” Billingsley said. “She has the ability to dominate opponents at the net, and is a big reason why we’ve been so successful during her time here.”
In the classroom, Grimes was named an Academic All-American last year, and should receive the same award this year.
Emily Russell (Jr.)
5-8, Outside Hitter, Woodstock, Ill. (Woodstock H.S.)
Emily Russell was named to the Midwest Classic Conference honorable mention team. The junior team captain was named MCC Player of the Week once, and also was selected to the All-Tournament Team at the St. Ambrose Early Bird Tournament.
As a first-year starter, Russell has averaged 2.31 kills and 3.98 digs per game, while also piling up 35 aces this season.
“Emily has really stepped up this season,” Billingsley said. “She is the best on the team at hitting the smart shots: finding the open spots on the court, hitting off a blocker, or taking advantage of the blocker’s mistakes.”
Kristen Anglin (Jr.)
5-8, Libero, Dubuque, Iowa (Wahlert H.S.)
Former Wahlert standout Kristen Anglin was named to the Midwest Classic Conference Honorable Mention All-Conference team. Anglin was named Libero of the week once, and is averaging 4.34 digs per game (second on the team). She also averages over nine passes a game (team high).
“Kristen is one of the most consistent passers in the conference,” St. Ambrose head coach Bruce Billingsley said. “Defensively, she has the ability to get to any ball on the court, and gets the ball to the setter where we can make something happen.”
Bruce Billingsley, St. Ambrose University
Coach of the Year
St. Ambrose coach Bruce Billingsley was selected by his peers as the MCC Coach of the Year. This is Billingsley’s sixth time being selected for this honor. He has coached six MCC championship teams, five at St. Ambrose and one at the former Teikyo Marycrest University.
“Bruce has done an outstanding job in leading the women's volleyball program during his tenure at SAU. He has contributed significantly to the over-all success of the SAU Athletic Department,” said St. Ambrose athletic director Ray Shovlain.
The Queen Bees set a modern-day record for wins in a season (31-9), went undefeated in conference play (7-0), and won the conference tournament for the first time since 2001. Their season continues on Wednesday Nov. 15 at 7:00, as the Bees play host to the St. Xavier Cougars in the quarterfinals of the NAIA Region VII Tournament. The winner of the tournament advances to the NAIA National Tournament.
| 
