Hoffert & Smith Pick Up Postseason Awards
LC Volleyball players receive All-Conference and All Region awards

[November 15, 2017] 

The Lincoln College Volleyball team just completed a 24-12 season that ended with a strong performance in the Region 24 District J Championship match. Now the team is celebrating the accomplishments of two of its standout performers. Sophomores Kaylyn Hoffert and Elysa Smth were each recognized as All-Conference and All-Region players.

In 2017, Lincoln College competed in Region 24 of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). The nine-team Region is widely regarded as one of the toughest in the nation. The school was also a member of the Mid-West Athletic Conference (MWAC).

Kaylyn Hoffert, a 5’10” outside hitter from Lincoln, was named first team All-Conference by MWAC coaches and was awarded first-team All-Region honors as well. Last season, the 2016 Lincoln Community High School grad made the All-Region second team and received All-Conference honorable mention.

Hoffert was one of LC’s top offensive threats in 2017, amassing 249 kills on the season with a .251 hitting percentage. Her contributions on defense were important factors in her team’s success as well, as she was second on the team in digs with 228 and third in blocks with 33.

According to Hoffert, improving upon her passing skills was a goal she set for herself at the end of her freshman year. “I tried to improve my passing and defense this season so that I could play all the way around,” said Hoffert. “It was great that my coaches had the confidence in me to let me try, and I am happy that the other coaches in the Region saw the improvement too.”

Lincoln College Volleyball Coach Mark Tippett recognizes how much Hoffert’s play meant to his team. “Kaylyn had another outstanding year statistically, but just as importantly, she led by example through her work ethic, intensity, and enthusiasm for the game,” said Tippett.

Tippett agrees that Hoffert’s back row game showed significant improvement this year. “During her freshman year, Kaylyn was primarily a front row player,” said Tippett. “She worked very hard to make herself into a six-rotation player and it certainly has paid off.”

Lincoln’s other post-season award winner was 6’2” middle hitter Elysa Smith. The 2016 Metamora High School grad was named to the MWAC All-Conference second-team, and received All-Region Honorable mention honors.

Smith was a force to be reckoned with at the net as she recorded 64 blocks on the season. The total was enough to rank her in the top 30 blockers in Division II of the NJCAA. She also provided a strong offensive threat for the Lady Lynx, racking up 180 kills on the year and a .313 hitting percentage.

Smith says she was surprised and excited to be receiving such recognition. She also credits much of her success to her teammates. “This year we were all a lot more comfortable with each other right away since most of us played together our freshman year,” she said. “It was easier to play with confidence since I knew I could trust the players around me.”

“I was very happy to see Elysa earn post-season awards,” said Coach Tippett. “She put in a lot of effort in the off-season to get stronger and it showed right away. Elysa was one of our most reliable hitters this year and a player who deserved to be recognized for her ability.”

In the fall of 2018, Lincoln College will begin play at the varsity level as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The presence of athletes as talented as Hoffert and Smith on the roster has Coach Tippett optimistic about the future of his program.

“I am looking forward to the new challenges that are ahead for our team,” Tippett said. “We will return most of our players from this year and look to add some athletic players to the roster. I believe we will be ready to compete at a very high level right away in the NAIA.”

[Mark Tippett
Lincoln College
Sports Information]