SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Following the 2024 NAIA National Championship match played out on Tuesday evening, the tournament committee announced the individual special award winners and all-tournament team recipients based on the pool play and bracket play contests that took place in western Iowa over the past week of action. The No. 8-ranked Corban University Women's Volleyball team saw two student-athletes recognized for their exceptional gameplay over the course of their four contests in Sioux City, as senior libero Marissa Uehara was named the Defender of the Tournament and a member of the 14-woman All-Tournament team, while junior opposite hitter Makayla Roginski joined Uehara on the All-Tournament squad to make one-seventh of the team represented by Warriors.
"It's an incredible achievement to not only be recognized as an All-Tournament player, but as the Defensive Player of the Tournament is. A testament to her relentless hard work and dedication," Warriors' head coach Kim McLain shared regarding her fifth-year libero. "Missy's hard character and unwavering hard work truly set her apart, making her so deserving of these honors. It has been an honor to coach her and witness her dedication and talent shine on the national stage!"
In her second season as the Warriors' starting libero, Uehara played her best week of volleyball when it mattered most at the national final site, as she hauled in 90 digs across four matches played to average six digs per set played, well above her season and career averages to lead all defenders among the nation's best programs. She was a constant threat at the service line and in her emergency setter duties as well, scoring on eight service aces while being credited with 19 assists on Corban kills. In 33 matches played this season, Uehara secured a career-high 510 digs across 124 sets, representing the tenth most in a single season by a Warrior in women's volleyball program.
When asked to comment on her starting opposite hitter, Coach McLain stated, "Makayla's second recognition as an All-Tournament player in the NAIA National Tournament is a testament to her relentless effort, perfecting her craft on a daily basis which translated perfectly to the national stage. She consistently pushes herself each day, striving for excellence both on and off the court. I am incredibly proud and honored to coach her and witness her remarkable growth and achievements."
Representing the most kills by a student-athlete within the Corban volleyball program in 2024, Roginski was on fire from the right side of the net in the Tyson Events Center across their four matches, tallying 45 kills on a .324 attacking percentage along with 17 blocks (13 assisted, four solos) and 11 digs. She was on a tear this season for the Navy and Gold, scoring a team-high and 347 kills to average 2.82 per set and earn Second-Team All-Conference honors from the Cascade Collegiate Conference for a third-straight season.
Uehara concludes her collegiate women's volleyball career with 1,262 digs, good enough for sixth all-time in the Corban record books, leapfrogging Warrior legend and teammate Rylee Troutman (Bales) after commanding the backcourt for Coach McLain this season. With still one season of eligibility remaining, Roginski is just 36 kills away from 1,000 on her career following a single-season mark of 347, the best in her three-year career to lead the Navy and Gold in 2024.
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