With their most Big Nine Conference volleyball wins in several years, it was definitely a season of improvement for the Albert Lea Tigers.

One reason was the play of two-year starting middle hitter Amber Edwards, which was no surprise.

Two new faces also made a big impact: Jenna and Katie Brackey, twins who open-enrolled from Glenville-Emmons for their senior year.

They’re the Tigers’ representatives on the 2003 all-conference team. Edwards was voted to the first team, the Brackeys received honorable mention.

Edwards, a senior, led the Tigers with 124 kills, with a kill percentage of 31.2 percent and totals of 150 digs, 88 blocks and 29 service aces.

&uot;Amber has been a strong middle hitter for us for two years,&uot; said Tigers coach Gina Eppen. &uot;This year she added some quick hitting to her offense and executed very well. She was often one of our go-to hitters. I was impressed with Amber’s tenacity at the net this year. We single-blocked in the middle and Amber picked up 55 solo blocks on some strong hitters in our conference. She is an active and aggressive player. We will definitely miss Amber next year. I have truly enjoyed working with her for the past two years.&uot;

The addition of the Brackey twins prompted Eppen to use a two-setter lineup this year.

&uot;Coming from a smaller school, I think that Katie and Jenna were a little nervous at the beginning of the season as to how they would fit in in the Big Nine Conference.,&uot; said Eppen. &uot;I’m happy that other coaches in the conference realized how talented these girls really are and how much they added to our team. The Brackey girls fit right in with our team and did an excellent job for us this year. We were fortunate to get them both. They have been a great pair to structure an offense around.&uot;

Katie Brackey’s 206 assists led the Tigers. She also had 183 digs, 28 blocks, 25 kills and 22 aces.

&uot;Katie was an excellent addition to our team this year,&uot; said Eppen. &uot;Katie is an all-around talented player. She made our hitters better by placing her sets well and making smart decisions on offense. Defensively, she picked up some very difficult balls. Even though she is small in stature, Katie also earned 28 blocks &045;

a stat I’m sure she is proud of.&uot;

Jenna Brackey totaled 264 digs, 186 assists, 42 kills, 28 blocks and 13 aces.

&uot;Jenna made our team better in many ways,&uot; said Eppen. &uot;In my three years coaching here in Albert Lea, Jenna has earned the most digs in one season. She is a hard worker on the court.

I am sometimes amazed at the balls she can dig. In addition, she was a crucial part of our offense racking up 186 assists. Like her sister, Jenna is an all-around player. Having her on the court made us better. She earned the highest serve receive percentage of anyone on the team this year.&uot;

The 2003 All-Big Nine Conference Volleyball Team, by school:

– Albert Lea &045; Amber Edwards, sr., MH;

– Faribault &045; Angie Bonde, soph., MH; Jess Williams, sr., S;

– Mankato East &045; Amy Esser, jr., MH; Brittany Mitchell, jr., S;

– Mankato West &045; Crystal Hoffrogge, sr., RH; Nicole Kenne, jr., LH;

– Owatonna &045; Katie Boettcher, sr., LH; Liz Kern, soph., MH; Amanda Orlowski, jr., S;

– Rochester Century &045; Kate Kluge, sr., S;

– Rochester John Marshall &045; Kala Rosu, jr., S; Kayla Tlusty, jr., RH;

– Rochester Mayo &045; Leah Bjerke, fr., S; Mecaela Bjerka, S; Katelyn Carlson, sr., LH;

– Winona &045; Kayla Hall, jr.;

Honorable mention:

– Albert Lea &045; Jenna Brackey, sr., S; Katie Brackey, sr., S;

– Austin &045; Angie Rohne, jr., MH;

– Faribault &045; Anna Cashman, sr., LH;

– Mankato East &045; Bethany Brandt, sr., DS; Kristi Lindstrom, sr., LH;

– Owatonna &045; Amber Mussmann, sr., MH;

– Rochester Century &045; Diana Lindner, sr., LH;

– Rochester Mayo &045; Madison Rengstorf, jr., RH.

(Contact Jim Lutgens at sports@albertleatribune.com or 379-3437.)