Courtesy: John Huffer, Ball State Photographic Services Miller was one of five All-MAC selections for the Golden Flashes
Junior midfielder the sixth KSU player to earn the award
KENT, Ohio — Kent State junior Rachel Miller (Bathurst, Australia / MacKillop College) was named the 2009 Mid-American Conference Field Hockey Player of the Year to highlight five all-conference selections for the Golden Flashes.
Joining Miller on the All-MAC first team are senior midfielder Allison Kittelberger (Webster, N.Y. / Schroeder) and sophomore forward Debbie Bell (Hamilton, New Zealand / Waikato). Senior Laurie Wilkins (Toledo, Ohio / Ottawa Hills) and junior midfielder Katie George (Springfield, Pa. / Cardinal O’Hara) were named to the second team.
A key catalyst for the Kent State offensive attack, Miller leads the MAC and ranks 13th in the country with 14 assists this season. Her five assists in the regular season finale equaled a NCAA single game high this season. Miller, who also has added 10 goals, is the only MAC player to reach double figures in both goals and assists this season. A NFCHA All-American last season, she has record at least one point in 10 straight games and ranks third in the league with 34 total points for the year. Named First Team All-MAC for a third consecutive season, Miller becomes the sixth Kent State player selected as Player of the Year and first since Berber Rischen in 2004.
A two-time second team honoree, Kittelberger was selected to the first team this season. The primary injector on offensive penalty corners, the KSU senior captain is also a key member of the defensive side. She has produced two goals and ranks fourth in the MAC with nine assists this season. Bell leads the nation with 28 goals and was a two-time MAC Player of the Week this year. The 2008 MAC Freshman of the Year, she has recorded five multi-goal games this fall while posting a league best seven game winners.
Wilkins takes home her second straight All-MAC accolade after equaling a career high eight goals and providing four assists. For George it is her first career all-league selection. An integral part of KSU line-up, she has started all 19 games and added one assist on the year.
The Golden Flashes begin MAC Tournament play tomorrow at 2:30 pm.
First Team Brooke MacGillivary, Ball State Kim Erasmus, Central Michigan Rachel Miller, Kent State Debbie Bell, Kent State Allison Kittelberger, Kent State Mary Hull, Miami Katie Brightwell, Miami Maggie Marcum, Miami Melissa Lantz, Missouri State Marcy Dull, Ohio Katelyn Shelley, Ohio GK- Melinda Curran, Central Michigan
Second Team Devanny Kuhn, Ball State Kim Sihota, Central Michigan Kelly Jordan, Central Michigan Katie George, Kent State Laurie Wilkins, Kent State Christine Brightwell, Miami Kate Snyder, Miami Alyssa Hile, Missouri State Andrea Biegalski, Ohio Katherine Ballard, Ohio Nina Bruno, Ohio GK- Courtney Seiders, Ohio
Courtesy: John Huffer, Ball State Photographic Services
