Kelly Laschinger (13) and Lisa Bell were all-region

UW-Platteville's Kelly Laschinger earned first team all-Midwest Region volleyball honors, while Lisa Bell earned honorable mention status, announced Thursday by the American Volleyball Coaches Associationn.

Laschinger, a senior setter from Verona, became the first Pioneer in school history to surpass 5,000 career assists. Her 56 assists in Thursday's NCAA III playoff loss to #14 UW-Oshkosh gave her 5,004.

Bell, a sophomore from Dyersville, Iowa (Beckman High School) had a career-high 22 kills in the epic five-game battle with the Titans Thursday. She reached double figures in kills 25 times, with the Pioneers winning 17 of those matches.

"Lisa has played really well," Coach Deb Schulman said. "Whenever we need a big swing, she delivers. And what more can we say about Kelly? She has led the team and has been so consistent. She'll be very hard to replace."

The Pioneers finished 24-13, made the WIAC championship match and advanced to the NCAA III playoffs.

Midwest Region, School, Pos., Yr.

Kelly Bauer, Carthage College, S/H, Sr.

Katelyn Carlson, UW-La Crosse, OH, Sr.

Maggie Kelly, North Central College, OH, Sr.

Kelly Laschinger, UW-Platteville, S, Sr.

Kate LaZotte, UW-Whitewater, S, Sr.

Carlene Polk, UW-Whitewater, MB, Sr.

Leah Rosenbaum, UW-Oshkosh, MB, Sr.

Samantha Schmidt, UW-Oshkosh, DS/Lib., Jr.

Jori Simmons, Carthage College, MB, Sr.

Brianne Stankus, UW- La Crosse, RS/Opp., So.

Mallory Sullivan, Wheaton College (Ill.), OH, Jr.

Kim Vail, Univ. of Wisconsin-Oshkosh,RS/Opp.,Sr.

Region Freshman of the Year: Rachel Swoboda, Carthage, RS/Opp.

Honorable Mention: Lisa Bell (UW-Platteville, MB, So.), Rachel Cook (Millikin, MB, Sr.), Kayla Leyden (Benedictine, OH, Fr.), Jenna Passananti (Illinois Wesleyan, S, Sr.), Brittanie Paulus (Lakeland, OH, So.), Rachel Swoboda (Carthage, RS/Opp., Fr.)