Along with
her All-American honor, Block was named
first Team All-Minnesota Community College
Conference (MCCC) Southern Division, first
Team All-MCCC and to the MCCC State Tournament
Team this past season. Block and 18 other
community college volleyball players were
judged and chosen from approximately 100
nominees for the distinction of best amateur
players by the NJCAA.
ARCC faculty Drew Rongere was named 2006
MCCC Coach of the Year after leading the
Rams to a third place finish in the MCCC
Southern Division and fourth place finish
at the MCCC State Tournament. After Block
was named first team All-MCCC Southern
Division in 2005, Rongere knew she was
poised to have another strong season in
2006.
“I told Anna before this season
began that she was going to be named All-American,” says
Rongere. “She didn’t believe
me then, but look what happened.”
Rongere, who nominated Block for All-American,
credits much of the team’s success
to Block’s selfless determination.
“Anna injured her ankle during
mini-camp and was unable to play for the
first four weeks of the season,” Rongere
says. “But this didn’t stop
her from attending practice and pushing
her teammates to play with the intensity
necessary to be successful in the MCCC.
Anna returned to play during the second
week of conference play determined to help
her team win.”
“I was really surprised when Coach
gave me the award," says Block, who
ranks seventh in the NJCAA with 4.34 kills
per game. "It’s a great way
to end my volleyball career."
“Not only did her teammates look
up to her as a role model, they counted
on her to make a big play when we needed
it,” Rongere continues. “Anna
earned this award and she is going to be
missed by everyone involved with the Anoka-Ramsey
volleyball program.”
Rongere has begun recruiting for the
upcoming season and hopes to recruit more
quality players.
Block plans to graduate from ARCC’s
physical therapist assistant program in
May 2007, and offers some advice to next
season’s players.
“Listen to coach, he knows what
he’s talking about,” Block
says. “Go out, have fun and play
the best you can and things will fall into
place.”
Women interested in the Anoka-Ramsey
Community College Women’s Volleyball,
can call 763-433-1109 or fill out a prospective
athlete questionnaire at www.anokaramsey.edu/studentactivities/athletics_interest.cfm.
Block by the Numbers (Stats)
• Hitting percentage - .360
• Aces per game - .6
• Blocks per game - .757
• Kills per game - 4.343
2006 ARCC Women’s Volleyball
Roster
Samantha Adamczak, Anoka; Audra Stevenson,
Spring Lake Park; Karla Curless, Andover;
Alyssa Singer, Solid Rock Academy; Brendean
Stacklie, Andover; Stephanie O’Rourke,
Blaine; Anna Block, Lake of the Woods;
Kaysie Otterness, Spring Grove; and Casey
Liptak, Forest Lake.
ABOUT ANOKA-RAMSEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Anoka-Ramsey Community College, with
campuses in Cambridge and Coon Rapids,
has been a leading provider of higher
education and training in East Central
Minnesota since 1978 and the north suburban
area of Minneapolis/St. Paul since 1965.
Annually, the college serves more than
9,700 learners of all ages as they pursue
associate degrees that transfer as the
first two years of a bachelor's degree,
or certificate programs that lead immediately
to rewarding careers. ARCC is a member
of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
System. |
