Cowley volleyball players named All-American by VolleyballMag.com

Cowley College volleyball standouts Laura Bonomi and Anna Kiss were just two of 12 players selected to the NJCAA Division II All-American team by a panel of coaches and experts at VolleyballMag.com. They joined one other player from the KJCCC conference DII ranks, as Johnson County also had one selected.

Bonomi, a freshman from Ceto, Italy, and Kiss, a sophomore from Szekesfehervar, Hungary, helped the Lady Tigers make a return to the NJCAA Division II National Championships and win the program's third national championship. On the year, Bonomi totaled 495 kills at 3.87 kills per set, a .393 hitting percentage, 62 service aces, 400 digs at 3.13 digs per set, and 563.5 points. She was named to the NJCAA DII All-Tournament team at the national tournament.

Bonomi was also honored by Volleyballmag.com as the NJCAA DII Player of the Year. "This is the first time a Cowley player has been named 'Player of the Year' by VolleyballMag.com," Cowley head coach Steven Gream said. "This award is a true symbol of the hard work she and her teammates put in all season to excel at a high level. To come into our strong league and be honored as a 'Player of the Year' is extraordinary, and we could not be more proud of her."

On the year, Kiss totaled 552 kills at 4.31 kills per set, a .368 hitting percentage, 82 service aces, 119 digs, and 643.5 points. She was named to the NJCAA DII All-Tournament team at the national tournament.

Kiss ranks fourth in Cowley history in total career kills with 1,000 (only the fourth player to ever reach the 1,000-kill mark). Her 3.80 kills per set for her career ranks her fourth in all-time. Kiss' 151 service aces rank her fifth all-time in aces in a career. Her 552 kills in 2023 ranks her fifth all-time in kills in a season.

For her career, Kiss finished with 1,000 total kills, 3.80 kills per set, a .330 hitting percentage, 151 service aces, 445 digs, 41 blocks, and 1,173.5 points.

"It is such a joy to see these quality athletes be recognized in the All-American list issued by VolleyballMag.com," Gream said. "With only 12 players recognized among the many talented athletes out there, it is truly an honor to see these players' hard work pay off. These two and their teammates worked so hard this year, and these honors are a testament to a total 'Team First' attitude where each player was with each other, for each other. I could not be prouder of Laura and Anna and their teammates."

Cowley won the KJCCC conference title, a Plains A District championship, and a National Championship in the NJCAA DII national tournament, with Bonomi and Kiss in the rotation. Head Coach Steven Gream was also named NJCAA DII Coach of the Year by the publication as he led the Lady Tigers to a record of 41-0.

"Coaching takes a highly organized, focused, and determined spirit to compete consistently at an excellent level," Cowley athletic director Jeff Fluty said. "Coach Gream instilled this mindset of competitive excellence in his lady Tiger volleyball team throughout an undefeated season culminating in a five-set thriller and a national championship. Being awarded the 2023 NJCAA DII Volleyball Coach of the Year is a well-deserved honorable distinction."