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Haley Pouliezos Named NAIA Libero of the Year

By High P Staff, 12/18/14, 5:00PM CST

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2012 High Performance Alum Earns National Recognition

The NAIA office announced Haley Pouliezos (High Performance 2012 alum) as the 2014 Tachikara-NAIA Libero of the Year. The Imperial, Mo. native led the Spartans to a 38-4 record, a No. 5 national ranking, and Quarterfinalists at the NAIA National Championship.

Haley Pouliezos becomes the first Spartan to win an award of this caliber since Ana Mercado won NAIA Player of the Year award in 2006.

The awards have piled-up for Pouliezos. She was named American Midwest Conference Libero of the Year, as well as First-Team All-Conference. The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) named her the All-Midwest Region Libero of the Year, and Second-Team All-America. The NAIA named Pouliezos to the Tachikara-NAIA All-America Second-Team.

"She absolutely deserved this award," said Missouri Baptist University head coach Chris Nichols (18 Royal). "She is in the gym before serve and pass, and stays late after practice. It is an incredible honor to win this award, because only one other award is honored and that is the Player of the Year award."

Pouliezos led the country with 971 Digs and 6.470 Digs per Game. She compiled 12 matches with 30 digs and had a season-high of 40 digs. "Yes, it is an individual award, but it really is a team honor," said Pouliezos. "My teammates are excited, my family and friends are excited for me, but I could not have done it without my teammates. It was a long journey for me to come to Missouri Baptist and to try and play at a high level."