2023-24 Women's Volleyball News
Grafton named to CSC Academic All-America Team
January 09, 2024
Senior Mackenzie Grafton earned recognition for her efforts in the classroom and on the court when she was named to the NAIA Women's Volleyball Academic All-America Team as selected by College Sports Communicators (CSC). Grafton was one of just 14 student-athletes named to the team. She earned second team honors.
SAU places nine members on CCAC All-Academic Team
December 20, 2023
St. Ambrose placed nine members on the CCAC's Women's Volleyball All-Academic Team announced Wednesday. Grace Beitzel, Kylie Brosius, Mackenzie Grafton, Alex Horne, Lexi Huntley, Skyler Kuntzman, Meredith Siebers, Hannah Sondag and Macy Watkins were recognized.
Four Bees named to CSC Academic All-District Team
December 13, 2023
Mackenzie Grafton, Alex Horne, Meredith Siebers and Hannah Sondag were named to the 2023 Academic All-District Women's Volleyball Team, selected by College Sports Communicators (CSC).
Grafton named NAIA Third Team All-American
December 11, 2023
A season for the record books added one final chapter Monday. Mackenzie Grafton became the first St. Ambrose women's volleyball All-American in 23 years when she was named to the third team. Deana Schmidt was the last Bee to be named to one of the three teams when she earned third-team recognition in 2000.
Season ends in five-set loss to Bellevue at NAIA Championships
November 30, 2023
St. Ambrose had its chances Thursday morning. The Bees just couldn't capitalize on them in the end. And it led to a season-ending 21-25, 25-23, 24-26, 25-16, 15-9 loss to No. 18 Bellevue in pool play at the NAIA Championships in Sioux City, Iowa.
Grafton named AVCA Region Player of the Year, Siebers earns all-region honorable mention
November 30, 2023
Mackenzie Grafton was named the Mideast Region Player of the Year as the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced its women's volleyball all-region teams as selected by the NAIA Selection Committee.
St. Ambrose drops first pool-play match to No. 1 Northwestern
November 29, 2023
St. Ambrose recovered from a slow start to give No. 1 Northwestern (Iowa) all it could handle in the pool play opener for both teams Wednesday morning at the NAIA Championships in Sioux City, Iowa. But ultimately the nation's top-ranked team pulled out a 25-15, 25-22, 24-26, 25-19 win.
Nine Bees named NAIA Scholar-Athletes
November 28, 2023
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) released the 2022 Daktronics NAIA Women's Volleyball Scholar-Athletes. St. Ambrose had nine student-athletes named to the team.
SAU to face Northwestern and Bellevue in NAIA Tournament pool play
November 19, 2023
St. Ambrose was grouped with No. 1 Northwestern (Iowa) and Bellevue (Neb.) as pool play assignments were announced for the NAIA Women's Volleyball Championship.
St. Ambrose defeats No. 16 Saint Mary in NAIA Tournament opening round
November 18, 2023
For the first time since 2010, St. Ambrose is advancing to the final site of the NAIA Women's Volleyball Tournament.
Grafton named CCAC Player of the Year; one of four Bees named all-conference
November 13, 2023
Mackenzie Grafton was named the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Women's Volleyball Player of the Year as the conference announced its postseason awards.
SAU to play NAIA Opening Round match at College of Saint Mary
November 13, 2023
St. Ambrose will begin its National Tournament run with an opening-round match at the College of Saint Mary in Omaha, Neb., Saturday as the NAIA announced the women's volleyball championship pairings.
St. Ambrose wins CCAC Women's Volleyball Tournament
November 12, 2023
For the first time in program history, St. Ambrose won a Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference women's volleyball title. The Bees made history by taking down Judson 23-25, 28-26, 25-22, 25-20 in the CCAC Tournament championship match Saturday night in Elgin, Ill.
Bees returning to Nationals, playing for CCAC Tourney championship Saturday
November 10, 2023
A thrilling third-set rally propelled St. Ambrose to a 3-0 sweep of Trinity Christian in a CCAC Tournament semifinal Thursday night, guaranteeing the Bees a spot in the upcoming NAIA National Tournament. SAU will also play for the CCAC Tournament title Saturday at top-seeded Judson.
Sondag, Grafton repeat as CCAC Players of the Week
November 08, 2023
CHICAGO --- St. Ambrose University's Mackenzie Grafton (Orion, Ill.) and Hannah Sondag (Webster Groves, Mo.) and Judson University's Kenia Diaz Vega (Caguas, Puerto Rico) gained Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Women's Volleyball Player of the Week honors one final time in 2023, the league office announced on Wednesday afternoon. For Grafton and Sondag, it was their third time being recognized this year and their second in a row.
Bees cruise through quarterfinal win over Lakers
November 07, 2023
St. Ambrose wasted little time in getting through its CCAC Tournament quarterfinal Tuesday night. The Bees took down Roosevelt 25-18, 25-13, 25-23 in Lee Lohman Arena and will now host Trinity Christian in a semifinal Thursday night.