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Washington leads 2024 All-Union big school volleyball list
Demons earn both captain and coaches honors
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
Another Southeast Conference volleyball season has come and gone which means its time for yet another installment of the All-Union volleyball list.
It was another competitive season in the SEC this year, but one team reined above the rest.
Washington put together one of its best seasons in nearly 20 years in 2024.
The Demons finished with a winning record of 18-16, their first positive finish since 2007.
Along with that, the Demons also notched their first ever Southeast Conference championship with a victory over Burlington. Altogether, the Demons finished 9-1 in SEC play.
That is why the Demons lead this year’s All-Union list with four total selections, which includes both the captain and coaches spot.
Meanwhile, Fairfield and Mt. Pleasant followed behind with conference records of 6-4 and 3-7 respectively.
The Trojans finished with an overall record of 17-20, while the Panthers posted a 12-26 record. Both squads have two All-Union selections.
This years’ list is made up of four juniors and three seniors.
Coach: Aaron Six, Washington
Washington head coach Aaron Six has helped the Demons improve their win total every season since the 2020-21 season.
The Demons won four games four years ago.
Last season, Washington volleyball posted its highest win total since 2007, when the Demons won 14 games.
In 2024, the Demons did even better, notching 18 victories and 16 losses, their first winning record since that 2007 season.
Coupling the winning slate, is Washington’s first ever Southeast Conference title. The Demons lost just one match all season long in conference play, which came against Burlington.
However, the Demons got their revenge against the Greyhounds in the SEC Tournament finals.
Captain: Leighton Messinger, Jr, Washington
When it comes to hitting the ball, Washington’s Leighton Messinger ranks at the top of the list.
The Demon junior and SEC Player of the Year was the top hitter for Washington and the best in the conference.
Messinger finished the season with 285 kills to lead the SEC. She was also the only Demon to surpass the 200 kill mark.
While she ranked fourth in the SEC in kill attempts at 778, she was the best at putting them away with an efficiency of .251.
To go along with her kills, Messinger finished with a team high 244 digs and tallied 35 aces.
Ella Greiner, Sr, Washington
Washington senior Ella Greiner did a little bit of everything for the Demons in her final campaign.
Greiner racked up 166 kills for Washington and finished second in the digs department with 242.
She also led Washington with 42 aces, which was good enough for fourth best in the SEC.
Greiner was a SEC second-team selection this season.
Lauren Hinrichsen, Sr, Washington
The final Washington senior to grace this years’ All-Union list is setter Lauren Hinrichsen.
Hinrichsen was one of the best passers in the league this season.
The first-team all-conference selection dished out 659 assists in 81 sets. That mark was good enough for second most in the SEC.
Hinrichsen also carded 197 digs and 22 aces through the season.
Lilly Bergren, Sr, Fairfield
Fairfield senior and first-team all-conference pick Lilly Bergren has been an integral piece of the Trojans’ success for four years.
Bergren shined in every aspect of the game.
Her 188 kills were a team high and were the seventh highest total in the conference. Accompanying the kills were 241 digs and 12 aces.
Faith Jones, Jr, Fairfield
Fairfield junior Faith Jones took over the setting responsibilities for the Trojans this season and didn’t miss a beat.
The All-SEC second teamer posted 640 assists to lead the Trojans. That mark was good enough for third most in the SEC.
Jones put up 231 digs as well as 31 aces through the season.
Addison Clark, Jr, Mt. Pleasant
One of two Mt. Pleasant All-Conference second team selections was junior hitter Addison Clark.
Clark was a menace around the net, not only hitting the ball, but sending it back toward the opposition as well.
She finished with a team high and conference fourth best 197 kills. She also posted a team high in blocks with 32 total.
Alex Scott, Jr, Mt. Pleasant
Mt. Pleasant junior and second team All-Conference pick Alex Scott dabbled in a little bit of everything for the Panthers.
Scott was second in kills for the Panthers and fifth in the SEC with 193.
Her 297 digs and 44 aces were team bests and ranked fifth and third in the league.
