By Journal Sports Staff

MARQUETTE – Senior Alex Berger of Northern Michigan University was named to the all-GLIAC first team and sophomore Madison Whitehead earned a spot on the second team, the league office announced on Saturday.

The duo was honored after leading the Wildcats to their third 20-win season in the past five years and a GLIAC tournament berth.

Berger, a libero and defensive specialist, took home first-team honors for the second straight year after placing second in GLIAC match in digs with 344 and tied for fifth in league digs per set with 5.06. In all matches, the senior averaged 4.82 digs per set and finished the year with 569 digs, an NMU single-season record.

The Shakopee, Minnesota, native wrapped up her career with 1,748 digs, good for second in Northern history. She is one of only three Wildcats to surpass 1,500 digs in her career.

Whitehead, left-side and middle hitter, led the Wildcats in every major offensive category this season, posting 351 kills, an average of three per set, and a .333 hitting percentage. In GLIAC play, the sophomore upped her game even more, averaging 3.27 kills per set for sixth in the league and a .340 hitting percentage, good for fourth in the GLIAC.

The Altoona, Wisconsin, native was twice named GLIAC Player of the Week this fall and also became the first Wildcat to be awarded Sports Imports/AVCA Division II National Player of the Week honors since 2007.

Sophomore teammate Kayla Chosa, a middle hitter, earned honorable mention accolades. The sophomore was the lone Wildcat to reach 100 blocks this season, totaling 117, including 38 solo stops. She also ranked second on the team in kills per set with 2.95 and third among front-row players in hitting percentage at .303.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.