\KENOSHA, Wis. – Following the most successful regular season in recent history, the Parkside Rangers volleyball team was recognized with multiple All-GLIAC awards, including head coach Leigh Barea being named the 2023 GLIAC Coach of the Year.
 
Leigh Barea: Coach of the Year
The Parkside volleyball coach, Leigh Barea was named 2023 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (GLIAC) Coach of the Year on Friday. Following a nine-win season in 2022, Barea led a massive bounce-back effort that resulted in an 18-win regular season. 

"I am humbled and honored to be recognized, but this award goes far beyond me. It is because of the hard work and commitment of our student-athletes, coaching staff, sports medicine, strength and conditioning, and the rest of our support staff every single day," remarked Barea. "I am so grateful that I am about to have their support and commitment to the vision of Parkside Volleyball. I am especially blessed to have Dan and Micaela with me and I view this award as one for us together."

Parkside finished the regular season 18-11 overall and 12-6 in GLIAC play. Parkside was picked to finish ninth in the GLIAC, but placed third. It marked Parkside's highest finish since joining the conference in 2018. Barea reached the nine-win mark by September 26th, and the new feeling of a contending team was brewing from the get-go. 

Barea picked up monumental wins against Michigan Tech, Northern Michigan, and #16 Ferris State. Those wins broke streaks of at least five years against those respective programs. The victory against ranked Ferris State marked Parkside's first win against a ranked opponent in the Barea era.
 
Ava Irvin: First Team All-GLIAC
Parkside's sophomore Ava Irvin was named to GLIAC's First Team on Friday. Irvin put together a brilliant regular season, recording 392 kills and 422.5 points. Irvin fell just one kill short of the most in the conference. She registered at least 20 kills in six games. Irvin's most impressive performance came against Ashland when she put together a career-high 28 kills, attacking at a .349 clip. 
"Ava's rise this year has been truly exceptional. Every single day whether it was practice or a match, Ava was finding a way to get better," Barea said. "You could see this mentality on the court as her confidence grew when she knew she could hit any shot she saw or the team called her name. It has been incredible to watch her grow after another year in the GLIAC and always play with so much joy on the court this year."
 
Natalie Harris: Second Team All-GLIAC
In her first season as a collegiate athlete, Parkside's Natalie Harris was named to GLIAC's Second Team. Harris took over the libero position and left no doubts. She finished second in the conference with 478 digs in 108 sets played. Harris had eight games where she registered at least 20 digs. Against Michigan Tech, Harris achieved a total of 30 digs which was the highest by any Ranger since 2019.
"Natalie has been the catalyst to our defensive intensity all year and her presence was felt in our league," said Barea. "Her ability to read attackers, her high volleyball IQ, and her athleticism gave her the ability to keep volleyballs alive while her teammates found ways to put the ball away. We couldn't be more excited for her continued impact for many years to come."
 
Sam Fisch: Second Team All-GLIAC
As a freshman, Sam Fisch was named to GLIAC's Second Team. From the moment Fisch stepped foot on the court, it was clear she would make an impact. Parkside's freshman registered 256 kills from the right side and had 64 total blocks on the season. Fisch had 14 games where she notched at least 10 kills. She delivered her most impressive performance in the victory over #16 Ferris State, recording 15 kills.
"We could not be more proud and more excited for Sam to be recognized this year. Her growth and dominance in a new position as the season progressed was impressive and continues to get better with every match," Barea stated. "With one of the best arms in the conference, we cannot wait to see how much growth Sam continues to make during her time as a Ranger."
 
Karlee Lois: Honorable Mention All-GLIAC
Parkside's setter, Karlee Lois, was named to the Honorable Mention All-GLIAC team on Friday. Lois had a breakout campaign, recording over 1,000 assists and 333 digs in the regular season. Lois had 13 games where she tallied at least 30 assists. In addition to that, she had 20 double-double performances. Lois' best performance came against Ashland, where she had 66 assists and 16 digs. 
​​"Karlee has been consistent and solid all season long. Her competitiveness and work ethic spread to others and has helped bring a whole new level of Intensity to our gym this season," Barea proclaimed. "She not only had an impact on the game offensively, but she also has a defensive intensity that is often overlooked."
 
Up Next
The Rangers will return to action on Saturday afternoon in the GLIAC semifinals against Ferris State. Links to coverage including the live stream through FloSports can be found at ParksideRangers.com/coverage.