Mruzik, Grant Named to All-Big Ten First, Second Teams

Mruzik, Grant Named to All-Big Ten First, Second Teams

ROSEMONT, Ill. — University of Michigan volleyball senior Jess Mruzik, redshirt junior Hannah Grant and senior Maddie Dowd all received Big Ten postseason recognition Wednesday (Nov. 30), the conference announced. Mruzik was named to the All-Big Ten first team, Grant was named to the second team, while Dowd was Michigan’s Sportsmanship honoree.

Mruzik, the Wolverines’ outside hitter from Livonia, Mich., had a stellar season in earning her second straight first-team honor — she and Grant were the the only Wolverines to start every match (30) and play in every set (107). Mruzik recorded a total of 448.5 points, averaging 4.19 per set. She ranked sixth in the Big Ten in kills after recording an impressive 394 of them, up from the 376 she produced last season. Mruzik averaged 3.68 kills per set and had 20 aces on the season. The Wolverines’ match against Illinois (Nov. 19) was one of Mruzik’s biggest of the season, hitting season highs in kills (22) and points (23.5).

Coming off being last season’s Wolverines Big Ten Sportsmanship honoree, the Northville, Mich., native Grant dominated this season to earn the first All-Big Ten award of her career. The Wolverines libero and defensive specialist ranks No. 2 in the conference in service aces (44). She rose on the Big Ten leaderboard, ranking third in digs with 474, up from last season, when she ranked 10th with 300. Grant had an impressive performance in U-M’s win against Maryland (Nov. 19), recording season highs in points (five), aces (five), and digs (32). Grant reached the 1,000 career dig milestone against Minnesota on Nov. 4 with 22 digs, leading all players that match.

Dowd was named the Wolverines’ Big Ten Sportsmanship honoree. From Clarkston, Mich., Dowd serves as a setter for the University of Michigan volleyball team, playing 105 sets this season and appearing in all 30 matches. She recorded a total of 658 assists and averaged 6.27 assists per set. Dowd hit a season-high 49 assists against Loyola Chicago (Sept. 3). Making a statement in her senior season, she achieved the first double-double of her career against Indiana (Oct. 22) with two assists and 11 digs.

• Big Ten Release