CLEVELAND – On Wednesday the Mid-American Conference announced its 2019 postseason volleyball awards with Western Michigan volleyball senior Kathleen Reilly earning Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors while junior Rachel Bontrager was named First Team All-MAC.

Reilly who shared the defensive player of the year honors with Ohio's Tia Jimerson becomes the third Bronco in program history to win the award. Reilly becomes the first WMU player to do so since Lena Oliver back in 2012.

Reilly closed out the regular season raking second in the MAC at 5.37 digs per set and first in the MAC with 601 total digs. The 601 digs were eighth most in a single-season in school history while her 5.37 digs per set ranks fourth.

During conference play the Overland Park, Kan., native recorded double-digit digs in every match and posted nine matches with over 20 digs. In MAC play, Reilly registered 357 digs including a season-high 32 digs against Ohio and Ball State. Reilly ends her career at WMU with 2,326 career digs, the third most in school history and the third most in MAC history.

For the second year in a row junior Rachel Bontrager was named First Team All-MAC after ranking first in the conference with 414 kills, averaging 3.70 per set. Bontrager recorded double-digit kills in 25 of WMUs 28 games including a career-high 17 straight matches from Sept. 20 through Nov. 9.

During MAC play, Bontrager ranked second in the conference with 3.69 kills per set and posted 14 matches with double-digit kills and three double-doubles. Earlier in the season the Valparaiso, Ind., native became the 24^th member of WMU's 1,000-kill club and heads into her senior campaign ranking 10^th all-time in kills at WMU.

2019 MAC Volleyball Player of the Year
Tia Jimerson, Ohio
 
2019 MAC Volleyball Setter of the Year
Vera Giacomazzi, Ohio
 
2019 MAC Volleyball Freshman of the Year
Natalie Risi, Ball State 
 
2019 MAC Co-Defensive Players of the Year
Tia Jimerson, Ohio
Kathleen Reilly, Western Michigan
 
2019 MAC Coach of the Year
Mike Gawlik, Central Michigan
 
2019 MAC Volleyball All-MAC First Team (12 Members)
Rachel Bontrager, Western Michigan
Vera Giacomazzi, Ohio
Cassie Haut, Eastern Michigan
Tia Jimerson, Ohio
Katelyn Meyer, Bowling Green
Maggie Nedoma, Ohio
Margaret Payne, Miami
Natalie Risi, Ball State 
Lisbeth Rosario-Martinez, Central Michigan
Rachel Sanks, Buffalo
Kalina Smith, Central Michigan
Emily Weigand, Akron
 
2019 MAC Volleyball All-MAC Honorable Mention (6 Members)
Alexis Adleta, Akron
Alex Haffner, Kent State
Gaby Harper, Miami
Polina Prokudina, Buffalo
Amber Seaman, Ball State 
Julia Walz, Bowling Green
 
2019 MAC Volleyball All-Freshman Team (6 Members)
Raeven Chase, Eastern Michigan
Morgan Copley, Kent State
Allison Hamaker, Ball State
Savannah Matthews, Kent State
Marie Plitt, Ball State
Natalie Risi, Ball State