Stephanie Reinboldt is the Midwest Conference Player of the Year in Volleyball

LAKE FOREST, IL - Lake Forest College senior middle blocker Stephanie Reinboldt (McHenry, IL/Marian Central Catholic) was recently voted Player of the Year by the Midwest Conference volleyball coaches. The honor caps off a spectacular four-year career in which Reinboldt earned first-team All-Conference honors every year, making her only the second Lake Forest volleyball player to accomplish such a feat. 

Reinboldt's individual performance was a key factor in a successful 2001 season for Lake Forest. She teamed with fellow seniors Chrissy Laurine (Richmond, IL/Richmond-Burton), Leslie Boyle (Chicago Heights, IL/Marian Catholic) and Angela Lagerman (Menomonee Falls, WI/Menomonee Falls) to lead the Foresters to their third consecutive Midwest Conference Championship and trip to the NCAA Division III National Tournament. The co-captain led the team in kills with 445, which is a new single-season record, was second in blocks (92) and service aces (51), and third in digs (343). She also had an impressive hitting percentage of .301. The team recognized Reinboldt's efforts by voting her Most Valuable Player, and she was presented with the award at the College's fall sports awards ceremony yesterday.

The Foresters will have some big shoes to fill after Reinboldt's departure. In her four years as a starter they had an overall record of 81-40 and a Midwest Conference record of 30-4.  In the Lake Forest career record book she is 1st in kills with 1,250, 2nd in total blocks, hitting percentage and games played, 4th in solo blocks, 5th in digs and 10th in aces. A true student-athlete, Reinboldt's success on the court was matched by her success in the classroom.
The Math and Business major boasts a 3.71 grade point average and was a three-time Academic All-Conference selection. 

Head Volleyball Coach Beth Pier believes the Player of the Year award is an acknowledgement of Reinboldt's all-around play. "The casual volleyball fan notices when Stephanie pounds a ball, but she is also an incredibly smart hitter who uses finesse as much as power," notes Pier. "She made huge contributions to this team in every facet of the game and was a primary reason that we were the best team in the conference."