LA MIRADA --- The Biola volleyball team had three student-athletes earn All-PacWest honors, highlighted by Haylee LaFontaine being named the conference's Newcomer of the Year. Juliana Van Ommering and Savannah Simpson were selected to the All-PacWest First Team, while LaFontaine earned Second Team recognition.

LaFontaine made an immediate impact in her first season with the Eagles after transferring from Cal Poly. The sophomore outside hitter quickly established herself as a key contributor to Biola's offense, finishing second on the team with 237 kills and 275 points. She averaged 2.72 kills per set, ranking ninth in the PacWest, and 3.16 points per set while adding 90 digs, 24 service aces and 26 blocks across all 25 matches.

Her impact was evident early in the season when she earned PacWest Player of the Week honors on September 14. LaFontaine totaled 31 kills across three consecutive sweeps, including 10 kills on .333 hitting against defending co-champion Point Loma.

LaFontaine continued to be a consistent offensive presence for the Eagles, reaching double-digit kills in 12 matches and recording three double-doubles. One of her most memorable performances came against Westmont, when she helped Biola rally from a two-set deficit with 17 kills, 11 digs and four service aces.

Van Ommering was named First Team All-PacWest after establishing herself as one of the conference's top offensive players. The junior opposite hitter led Biola with 240 kills and 276.5 points, averaging 3.43 kills and 3.95 points per set. Both averages ranked third in the PacWest, while she stood 67th nationally in kills per set and 63rd in points per set. She also contributed 111 digs, 17 service aces and 34 blocks.

Van Ommering established herself as a consistent offensive threat, recording double-digit kills in 13 of her 21 matches, including six performances with at least 15 kills and three double-doubles. She opened the season with a career-high 23 kills and 13 digs against Dallas Baptist, setting the tone for a campaign in which she surpassed 500 career kills.

Her offensive production continued through the regular-season finale at Point Loma, where she recorded 20 kills and 11 digs for another double-double.

Simpson also earned First Team All-PacWest recognition following a breakout sophomore season. The middle blocker started all 25 matches and established herself as one of the conference's most efficient hitters, leading Biola with a .379 hitting percentage. Her mark ranked third in the PacWest and 31st nationally. She also led the Eagles with 81 blocks, averaging 0.89 per set to rank fifth in the conference.

Simpson's offensive contributions were equally important, as she totaled 187 kills, 18 service aces and 246.5 points while averaging 2.05 kills per set. She hit .300 or better in 14 matches and reached double-digit kills 10 times.
Her efficiency was on full display in Biola's win over Vanguard, where she recorded 12 kills without an error for a .667 hitting percentage while adding eight blocks. Simpson followed with another strong performance against Hawai'i Pacific, contributing 11 kills on .500 hitting and seven blocks.

Simpson continued to make an impact down the stretch, recording 10 kills, four service aces and four blocks in the Eagles' Senior Day sweep of Jessup before closing the regular season with a season-high 13 kills on .423 hitting at Point Loma.

Next up for Biola Volleyball is the PacWest Conference Volleyball Championship in Costa Mesa, California. Biola will face No. 2 seed Concordia on Friday, November 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Freed Center. If the Eagles win, they will advance to the championship match on Saturday, November 14 at 6 p.m.