WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- Four members of the Whitman College women's volleyball team have received all-Northwest Conference honors. Senior Barby Ream, a 6-foot middle blocker, earned a spot on the first team, while juniors Heather Cushing, Valarie Hamm and Kelly Williams received honorable mention recognition.
Ream, who graduated from Garfield High School in Seattle, Wash., was one of seven players named to the first team. As a junior and sophomore, she had received honorable mention.
A four-year starter, Ream committed just 31 attack errors this season while leading the conference with a .403 hitting percentage. She led Whitman for a fourth consecutive season in blocks with 104, which was the fourth highest total in the conference. She also ranked among the NWC leaders in both kills (2.75 per game) and digs (3.22 per game).
In her four seasons at Whitman, Ream collected 351 blocks, 685 kills and 829 digs.
"There isn't enough I can say about Barby's career at Whitman," Whitman coach Dean Snider said. "She has been a great part of this program, and it's been a privilege to work with her. Barby's final season was her best. It was a great way to finish a great career."
Cushing, a graduate of Davis High School in Yakima, earned honorable mention recognition for the second time in three seasons. A setter, she finished third in the NWC in assists this season, averaging 10.16 assists per game in conference matches and 9.47 assists on the season.
Cushing, who is graduating in three years and will not return for her senior volleyball season, holds Whitman school records for most assists in a career (2,300) and in a single season (1,074).
"Heather has had much to do with the success of our program," Snider said. "It is no accident that we have had winning seasons since she came to Whitman. She has meant so much to our program. It is nice to see her get some recognition from the conference as well."
Hamm, a graduate of Port Townsend (Wash.) High School, was No. 2 in digs in the NWC this season by averaging 4.11 per game. As a team, Whitman led the conference in digs, averaging 19.42 per game.
A 5-foot-11 outside hitter, Hamm also finished with 2.89 kills per game, the seventh best figure in the conference.
"Valarie has made herself into a great two-way player," Snider said. "She led us on defense, she was a solid attacker and she was a primary passer."
Williams, a graduate of Auburn-Riverside High School in Auburn, Wash., averaged 3.08 kills per game. She led the Missionaries in that category and was No. 6 in the conference.
"Kelly has been such a versatile player," Snider noted. "In her three seasons she has played well at three positions -- middle blocker, right side and outside hitter. This year we were able to use her in the best spot, on the left side. We predicted Kelly to be one of our top kill-getters and she lived up to that billing."
Ream, an art history major at Whitman, is the daughter of Edie and David Ream of Seattle, Wash. Cushing, an Asian Studies major, is the daughter of Sharon and Rob Cushing of Yakima, Wash.
Hamm, a history major, is the daughter of Diane and Jeffrey Hamm of Port Townsend, Wash. Williams, a sociology major, is the daughter of Catherine and Ted Williams of Auburn, Wash.
Whitman enjoyed its most successful NWC season in years, finishing in fourth place in the nine-school conference with an 11-5 record. The Missionaries finished one just game out of a two-way tie for second place and just two games out of first place. Whitman won a total of 15 matches on the season for the second time in three seasons.
Dave Holden, Whitman Sports Information, (509) 527-5902
Email: holden@whitman.edud