SouthtownStar Athletes on Campus: Megan Reynolds an All-American at Elmhurst College
By Mike Walsh For Sun-Times Media January 11, 2013 8:28PM
Megan Reynolds (18), Elmhurst College volleyball. | Supplied photo
Updated: February 14, 2013 6:43AM
Life is very good right now for Elmhurst College volleyball player Megan Reynolds.
In leading the Bluejays to the 2012 NCAA Division III national semifinals in the fall, the 6-foot-1 junior middle hitter authored quite an amazing season.
The Marian Catholic product not only was one of two Elmhurst players awarded First-Team All-Region honors, she also was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association’s All-American First Team.
Reynolds led the Bluejays in kills (413), kills per set (2.89), hitting percentage (.343), total blocks (170), solo blocks (68) and blocks per set (1.19).
A three-time First-Team All-College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin selection, Reynolds, a Thornton native, was named the league’s Most Valuable Player and also earned MVP honors at the CCIW Tournament and the NCAA Regional Championship.
Elmhurst, which lost to the University of St. Thomas in the national semifinals, finished 32-8 and ranked No. 9 in the AVCA poll. The Bluejays captured their first CCIW title since 2004 and won their first regional championship under coach Julie Hall. Elmhurst’s appearance in the NCAA semifinals was its first since 1987.
Northern stars
Three Southland residents earned postseason honors from the Northern Athletics Conference in women’s volleyball for the 2012 season.
Named to the All-NAC Second Team were Dominican freshman setter Christina Wilson (Lockport) and Benedictine senior libero/defensive specialist Kara Zuro (Queen of Peace).
Zuro led the Eagles with 347 digs and 3.73 digs per set during the regular season. The Crestwood resident also added 25 aces.
Wilson led the Stars in assists with 720 and was third in digs with 265. The Homer Glen native also had 56 kills.
Joining Wilson on the NAC’s All-Freshman Team was Lakeland’s Caleigh Galvan. Galvan (Lincoln-Way West) recorded 282 digs, 154 kills and 45 assists. The New Lenox resident added 21 blocks.
Taking the Buss
Loras College (Iowa) freshman wrestler James Buss (De La Salle) was named d3wrestle.com’s Wrestler of the Week for the period ending Dec. 13.
Three days earlier, Buss earned another accolade as he was named the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s Wrestler of the Week.
Buss, Loras’ heavyweight, won the championship on Dec. 8 at the Dick Walker Invitational in Waverly, Iowa. The Duhawks took second as a team.
Buss posted a 14-4 major decision over Coe’s Creighton Fox in the first round, then edged Iowa Central’s Malcolm Allen 3-0 in the semifinals. In the championship match, Buss beat top-seeded Ryan Fank, of Wartburg, 3-1 in the first tiebreaker period.
With the wins, Buss raised his record to 14-3 overall and 14-1 against non-Division I competition.
