Gurtner Named All-Conference
November 9, 2007
Southwestern Oklahoma State University volleyball star Kasandra Gurtner was recognized as one top players in the Lone Star Conference with her selection to the league’s all-conference squad.
Gurtner, a senior middle blocker from Cimarron, Kansas, was one of 14 players voted to the LSC’s second-team squad. She became the first SWOSU volleyball player to be named to conference’s first or second team.
A total of 70 league players were recognized on either the first, second or honorable mention squads. Voting was done by the league’s 13 head volleyball coaches.
SWOSU had three other players, Kacia Sandburg, Janna Green and Kristen Kaufman, make the honorable mention list.
LSC Champion West Texas A&M, which posted a perfect 12-0 league record, had four first team selections including Laura Prinsen who was named as the Offensive Player-of-the-Year.
Gurtner helped lead SWOSU in its third season of volleyball to 14-19 record and into an eighth-place tie in the LSC at 5-7. She topped the team in kills per game (3.68), attack percentage (.227), service aces (41), and total blocks (114). She has been the team leader in most offensive categories since joining SWOSU in 2005. She began her career at Clarendon Community College before leaving to join coach Bo Pagliasotti at SWOSU.
Sandburg, a junior middle blocker who played two seasons at Seminole State College, made an instant impact with the Bulldogs in her first year. She was second on the team in kills per game (3.16) and hitting percentage (.217). Sandburg had 10 or more kills 17 times, including having a season-best 22 against Texas A&M-Kingsville.
Green, a native of Owasso, made the successful switch from outside hitter to defensive specialist in her final year. She finished seventh in the LSC averaging 4.83 digs per game and twice had 30 digs in a match, the most ever by a SWOSU player.
Kaufman, a sophomore setter from Bedford, Texas, was among the leaders in the LSC averaging 10.52 assists per game. She had 60 or more assist twice in a match this year and was recognized once by Lone Star Conference as the Setter-of-the-Week earlier this year.