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Grace Balensiefer Season 2022

#4
PositionS
Height5-10
YearGraduate Student
HometownLafayette, Ind.
Previous SchoolNorthern Illinois
2022 / AS A GRADUATE STUDENT
  • Played in 73 sets over the span of 26 games, starting in 13
  • Collected 511 assists, averaging 7.00 assists per set
  • Earned a season-high 43 assists vs. Tennessee in the first match of the NCAA Tournament (12/2)
  • Served up nine aces over the season
  • Produced 100 digs, averaging 1.37 digs per set

2021 / AS A SENIOR AT NORTHERN ILLINOIS
  • Academic All-MAC
  • MAC West Setter of the Week (9/14)
  • Averaged 10.71 assists per set
  • Had 14 double-doubles on the season
  • Posted 45 assists and 10 digs in season-opening win over Western Illinois (8/27)
  • Filled the box score with 47 assists, 11 digs, two kills, two aces and a block in win over The Citadel (9/10)
  • Had 55 assists in 3-1 win at Charleston Southern (9/11)
  • Earned MAC West Setter of the Week on Sept. 14 after averaging over 12 assists per set at the Charleston Southern Tournament
  • Had 50 assists in 3-1 win at Central Michigan (9/25)
  • Dished out a season-high 57 assists at Western Michigan (9/28), adding 14 digs
  • Had 55 assists, 10 digs, three kills and four blocks in 3-2 win at Miami (10/9)
  • Recorded her 3,500th career assist at Ball State (10/16), becoming the fifth Huskie to reach that mark
  • Had a career-high five blocks in win over Buffalo (11/13/21).

SPRING 2021 / AS A JUNIOR AT NORTHERN ILLINOIS
  • Spring: Academic All-MAC
  • MAC West Setter of the Week (Feb. 23)
  • Played in all 22 matches
  • Averaged a career-high 9.77 assists per set
  • Had 10 double-doubles on the season
  • Had 43 assists, 11 digs and two kills in NIU’s 3-2 win over Toledo on Jan. 28
  • Posted season-highs of 55 assists and 15 digs at Central Michigan on Feb. 4
  • Had a season-high seven kills to go with 50 assists, nine digs and four blocks in 3-1 win over Eastern Michigan on Feb. 12
  • Named MAC West Setter of the Week on Feb. 22 after averaging 13.2 assists, 3.17 digs, and 0.67 blocks per set in NIU’s two 3-0 wins at Ball State
  • Had 40 assists and 12 digs in 3-1 win at Buffalo on March 12
  • Dished out 50 assists in 3-2 win at Kent State on March 19

2019 / AS A SOPHOMORE AT NORTHERN ILLINOIS
  • Academic All-MAC
  • MAC West Setter of the Week (October 28)
  • Dayton Invitational All-Tournament Team
  • Played in 109 sets over 30 matches
  • Finished third in the MAC in assists, averaging 9.59 per set
  • Recorded season-high 60 assists in a 3-2 win over UC Riverside on August 31
  • Had 44 assists, 16 digs and three aces in 3-1 win against Niagara on September 13
  • Posted 50 assists, 10 digs, and four kills in win at Toledo on October 5
  • Earned MAC West Setter of the Week on October 28 after averaging 11 assists per week in four-set wins over Kent State and Ohio
  • Had 55 assists and 11 digs in five-set match at Bowling Green on November 16

2018 / AS A FRESHMAN AT NORTHERN ILLINOIS
  • Holiday Inn Express Invitational All-Tournament Team
  • Started all 32 matches and played all 122 sets
  • Led NIU with 7.77 assists per set; 10th in the MAC in assists
  • Had 30 assists, eight digs, and two aces in collegiate debut against DePaul on Aug. 24
  • Recorded first career double-double with 28 assists and 11 digs against Xavier on Aug. 25
  • Had 24 assists and season-high 21 digs in five-set match against Northern Kentucky on Sept. 1
  • Dished out 44 assists at WKU on Sept. 15
  • Had 48 assists, six digs, and season-high four blocks in 3-1 win over Western Michigan on Sept. 27
  • Set season-highs with 60 assists and 20 digs in five-set win at Ohio on Oct. 20
  • Had 46 assists and 11 digs in 3-2 win at Western Michigan on Oct. 31

HIGH SCHOOL
  • Four-year letterwinner at McCutcheon High School, where she holds the career assists record
  • Led McCutcheon to a 25-6 record and the North Central Conference championship as a senior
  • Three-Time All-Conference selection
  • Two-Time Lafayette Journal & Courier Big School Player of the Year