Kisker, Smith garner all-GPAC recognition

View complete GPAC volleyball all-conference teams

Senior outside hitter Amanda Kisker and sophomore defensive specialist Carli Smith have been named to the GPAC volleyball all-conference teams, the league announced Wednesday. Kisker, a first team all-GPAC selection, becomes the first Concordia all-conference first teamer since 2007 when both Katie Werner and Kelli Ziegler received such honors. Meanwhile, Smith is a second team choice.

Kisker, a Lincoln native who earned honorable mention status in 2011, ranked among the conference’s top attackers this season. She finished fourth in the GPAC with a career high 378 kills in 2012. She also ranked fourth with 3.3 kills per set while totaling 312 digs. She posted double digit kill numbers in 22 of the team’s 31 matches and put down 15 or more kills on 10 occasions. She completed her fantastic career with 1,111 kills and 784 digs in 131 matches.

Smith, who hails from Temecula, Calif., had a huge season as the Bulldogs’ libero. She piled up 512 total digs (the fourth most in the GPAC) for an average of 4.5 digs per set (third in the conference). Her 512 digs were 162 more than she tallied in her freshman season. In a four set win over Peru State on Sept. 7, Smith racked up a career best 32 digs. She also posted 17 service aces on the season.

Sophomores Amanda Abbott and Mariah Schamp also garnered honorable mention all-conference honors. Abbott and Schamp ranked second and third on the team with 289 and 189 kills, respectively. Schamp topped the Bulldogs with 77 total blocks.