The Great Plains Athletic Conference All-Conference teams were announced for men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball and football this week. Several Dakota Wesleyan Tiger student-athletes received honors for their athletic achievements.
Soccer
The women’s soccer team had two players receive acknowledgment. Being selected honorable mention all-conference were senior goalkeeper Abigail Colgrove and sophomore forward Hannah Petrucci. Petrucci started in 13 games for the Tigers, while scoring seven goals and three assists this season. Colgrove started in nine games, recorded her first career shutout and had 57 saves this season.
Men’s soccer had three players acknowledged and one make one of the two teams. Those being junior defender Neil Ennis and sophomore midfielder Luis Waeschle earning honorable mention, along with senior midfielder Vladislav Burkov who was named 2nd team all-conference. Waeschle started in 14 games, scored two goals and had one assist. Ennis started in 13 games, scored three goals and posted one assist. Burkov started in 14 games, scored three goals and had two assists.
Volleyball
Junior middle blocker Emily Dale and senior outside hitter Abby Brunsing were tabbed as honorable mentions. Dale had 261 kills across 29 games, averaging 2.2 kills per set, 97 total blocks (19 solo & 78 assists), eight aces and seven assists. Brunsing posted 330 kills in 29 games giving her an average of 2.89 kills per set. She now ranks 10th in all-time kills (977) at DWU. Sophomore defensive specialist Lizzie Tyler earned 2nd team all-conference. Tyler finished the year in the top spot in the GPAC for digs in the 2024-25 season with 673. She also had 563 serve receives, 21 aces, 57 assists and four kills. Sophomore setter Kayleigh Hybertson garnished 1st team all-conference. Hybertson also was named the 2024 GPAC Setter-of-the-Year. She finished with 982 assists (9.74 assists per set), 306 digs, 32 serve aces, 82 kills, 55 blocks (five solo & 50 assisted).
Football
Various players received acknowledgement. Receiving nods for honorable mention were senior quarterback Carter Robinson, junior wide receiver Cole Holden and junior punter return specialist Landon Ruesink. Ruesink also received second team all-conference as a defensive back. Robinson started all 11 games and completed 169-for-268 passing (63%) and totaled 1,853 yards passing. He threw for 12 touchdowns and just five interceptions, had 120 carries for 584 yards rushing and five touchdowns. Holden started all 11 games as well and posted 52 receptions for 587 yards to go along with seven touchdowns, averaging 53.4 receiving yards per game. Ruesink recorded 53 total tackles (38 solo & 15 assists), two interceptions and 11 pass breakups – which led the GPAC. On special teams, Ruesink had 140 punt return yards off of 12 punt returns. On the offensive side, sophomore running back Koly Kayser earned second team honors as well. Kayser started all 11 games posting 159 carries for 926 yards rushing, averaging 84.2 per game on the ground. He scored eight touchdowns, half of which came in the final home game against Briar Cliff on Nov. 9. Kayser also caught 17 passes for a total of 139 yards. Finally, sophomore offensive lineman (LT), John Pica, earned the nod for first team all-conference.
