LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The ASUN Conference recently identified 2017 as the best season in Bellarmine University volleyball history.

Bellarmine is the newest member of the ASUN.

The 2017 campaign was indeed groundbreaking for Bellarmine, which earned its first-ever berth in the NCAA II Tournament. The Knights went 23-9 in setting a new program record for winning percentage (.718). Bellarmine carried a 13-5 record in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, equaling 2012 for the top conference mark in program history.

Bellarmine laid the groundwork for its most successful season of all-time by racing out to an 8-0 start. The Knights didn't build another major winning streak, but they also never dropped consecutive matches during the regular season. Following the 8-0 beginning, they strung together a trio of three-match win streaks. A landmark victory for the program came on Oct. 21 in Knights Hall, when Bellarmine upset top-ranked Lewis 3-2.

Libero Jordyn Kuchenbrod posted the second of her three straight All-America campaigns, earning third-team honors from the Division II Conference Commissioners Association and honorable-mention notice from the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Outside hitter Margaret Horihan garnered honorable-mention All-America acknowledgement from the AVCA as well, marking Bellarmine's first season with multiple All-Americans. The pair both garnered first-team All-Midwest Region accolades.

Kuchenbrod also secured the second of her three consecutive GLVC Libero of the Year recognitions while middle/right side hitter Abbie Oetting was lauded as the GLVC Freshman of the Year and Jenni Grzebin was named GLVC Coach of the Year. Kuchenbrod and Horihan were first-team All-GLVC selections while setter Allie Muha reaped second-team laurels.

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