OMAHA, NEB. - The Drake volleyball team continued to make huge strides in its resurgence as two Bulldogs garnered All-Missouri Valley Conference accolades for the first time since 2002, while another pulled in All-Freshman team laurels for the initial time since 2007.

Tabbed to the All-MVC second team were senior Chelsea Lauersdorf (Watertown, WIs./Watertown) and sophomore Michelle Reidy (Dubuque, Iowa/Wahlert Catholic), while redshirt freshman Emily Heffernen (Manchester, Iowa/West Delaware) was named an All-Freshman team honoree.

Lauersdorf and Reidy were Drake's initial first or second team All-MVC recipients since Lacey Corcoran was chosen to the All-MVC second team in 2002. 

Heffernen turned out to be the Bulldogs' first All-Freshman team recipient since junior teammate Angela Bys (Marion, Iowa/Marion) in 2007.

Lauersdorf became just the third player in Drake history to distribute 3,000 assists, now totaling 3,064 in 123 career matches.  She has registered a team-best 13 double-doubles, including seven straight to end the regular season.  Leading the Bulldogs in assists (7.49) and service aces (0.26), she also averages 2.26 digs per set.  She was named an all-tournament selection in each of Drake's three tournaments this season.

"Chelsea is our floor captain, she runs the show for us and she has worked so hard in her four years here," Drake head coach Phil McDaniel commented.  "I can see the progress she has made and she is certainly a player I wish we had here for a few more seasons."

Reidy has started all 33 matches for Drake this season and ranks in the top-10 in the MVC in both hitting percentage (2.93) and blocks (1.03), while being rated third in league-only blocks (1.20).  She owns blocks in 31 of 33 matches this season, including leading Drake to an 8-1 mark when posting seven or more blocks.  This season, she leads the Bulldogs in solo blocks (17), block assists (104) and total blocks (121).

"Michelle coming in as a walk-on freshman last year jumped into a starting role right away and she has just excelled in the middle position for us," McDaniel stated.  "She is one of the hardest workers on the team and she definitely earned the award."

Heffernen has turned a strong rookie campaign as she leads Drake in hitting percentage (.295), including a .303 attack mark in league-only matches, a number that ranks fifth in the MVC and is tops among freshmen.  She has recorded at least one block in 32 of 33 matches this season, including the last 32 tilts.  Twice this fall she has been honored with MVC Freshman of the Week accolades.

"It has been a dynamic duo between Emily (Heffernen) and Michelle (Reidy), they're quick and powerful, but Heffernen has certainly come a long way just in her one year playing with us," said McDaniel.

Lauersdorf, Reidy and Heffernen will lead Drake in its first State Farm MVC Championship since 1998 when the Bulldogs battle Creighton on Thursday (Nov. 26) at 8:00 p.m. in Omaha, Neb.

All-MVC First Team

Jessica Houts, CU

Mallory Leggett, ILS

Calli Norman, MSU

Cara Hackmann, MSU

Kelley Michnowicz, MSU

Bre Payton, UNI

Shannon Aschoff, UNI

Ellie Blankenship, UNI

Michelle Burow, UNI

Jennifer Berwanger, SIU

Emily Stockman, WSU

Mary Elizabeth Hooper, WSU

Sarah McGee, WSU

All-MVC Second Team

Chelsea Lauersdorf, DU

Michelle Reidy, DU

Emily Wandersee, UE

Whitney Fromm, INS

Addie Foley, MSU

Kim Wadsworth, WSU

MVC All-Freshman Team

Megan Bober, CU

Emily Heffernen, DU

Angela Rego, ILS

Amy Braun, UNI

Krista DeGeest, UNI

Rachael Brown, SIU