CHARLOTTE, NC — Central Lakes College sophomore Megan Linicker was named to the NJCAA Division III Volleyball All-America Second Team.
The middle hitter finished third in the nation with a . 388 batting average. She played in her 97 sets and finished with her 378 kills or her 3.9 kills per set. She added her assists in her 13 sets, 43 aces her serves, 135 digs and a total of 81 blocks.
Raiders head coach Jane Peterson said, “She didn’t miss it often.”She has the ability to get on the ball, so she’s hitting downs, not outs. She’s got multiple shots, she’s not hitting the same direction, angle, spot and speed all the time.”
The six-rotation player from Henning High School led the Raiders to fifth place in the final voting for NJCAA Division III. A big reason was her defense. She amassed 236 serves and had just 15 errors.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
“She was a very consistent passer,” Peterson said. “We don’t have a lot of middle hitters in our conference who go all the way and are effective. It’s a physical strain. It takes a lot of effort to be a middle hitter/blocker. That was the first question. Can she physically handle it?She is someone who never gives up.There were a few matches where I purposely put her to rest but she really didn’t want to but just a pass “She’s been consistent all over the place, both defensively, as a leader, as a blocker and as an attacker. She really deserves it.”
Peterson recalled visiting Henning’s practice range on a summer’s day a few years ago. She turned to Hennig’s coach and asked who hired Linicker and where he was going to college.
“I just said ‘what?'” asked Peterson, surprised. “Then it’s me.” She may have been overshadowed by the younger and perhaps older players when they played in the state tournament, but I could immediately see the aggression she had on every ball. It took me about 10 seconds to realize she was just a dedicated, hardworking person. ”
Rinicker found instant success with Brainerd. She helped her team achieve a 23-10 record in the fall of 2021. In her 108 sets she had 290 kills and averaged her 2.69 kills per set. . 339 batting average. She added 14 set assists, 19 ace serves, 162 digs and a total of 67 blocks playing alongside Hayley Schleper, whom Peterson said had a big impact on Linicker.
Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
The Raiders won the Consolation Title at the NJCAA Nationals during their freshman season.
The CLC finished 15-14 this year, but six of those losses were forfeits due to roster computer glitches. Linicker helped the Raiders overcome adversity and advance to the Region 13 playoffs thanks to his 3-0 victory over Alexandria his technicals in the final game of the regular season.
Linicker finished with 11 kills, nine digs, one set assist, one ace serve and one block.
“I think a lot of young women struggle with self-confidence, just like they’re trying to find their place,” Peterson said. You have to be confident of course even if you look full of them they’re all doing well and I’m not just talking about Megan but a lot of the people I coach are right If it’s just words, she should have more confidence.
“I’ve talked a lot with Megan about being good enough for her and good enough for what she does. I talked to her a lot about being satisfied and not wanting more, and I think that her mental game helped her grow a lot and as a leader.
“She’s not naturally picky or talkative. She was definitely someone everyone looked up to because of her consistency. You know what you were getting. She’s a leader.” I grew up that way as.”
Peterson calls it a pleasure to coach a player like Linicker and strives every day to become better as a player and as a person. Peterson said it was rare for a player to play for two years and graduate with a registered nursing degree in two years.
“She had to prepare for it and do a lot of courses each semester,” Peterson said. “It’s a truly commendable feat.”
JEREMY MILLSOP can be reached at 218-855-5856 or jeremy.millsop@brainerddispatch.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jeremymillsop.
