KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has announced the 2017 NAIA Women's Lacrosse All-America Teams as selected by the NAIA-Women's Lacrosse Coaches' Association All-America Committee. National Player of the Year Kadijah Kalo of Lawrence Tech (Mich.) headlines the group of 30 individuals named to the first and second team, while head coach Mary Ann Meltzer was named NAIA National Coach of the Year.
 
Davenport had five total players named to one of the two teams, including three first team selections. The Panthers tied with Lawrence Tech and SCAD Savannah for the most players named All-Americans this season. All of these teams made it to the semifinals in this year's National Invitational Tournament.
 
Brooke Knoll was one of five players that are repeat selections for the first team from 2016. The senior from Castle Rock had another phenomenal year with 93 goals and 11 assists, totaling 104 points over the 18 games this season. She led the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) in goals per game (5.17) and shots on goal per game (6.78). Knoll finishes her career with 323 points, 266 goals, 57 assists, 60 ground balls, 20 draw controls and 23 caused turnovers.
 
The next Panther named to the NAIA first team is Jessica Lemcke, last season she was named a second team member. She was one of four teammates who had over 100 points this season. The senior from Ontario had 87 goals and 18 assists, totaling 105 points while starting all 18 games this season. She was third in the WHAC in goals per game (4.83) and second in shots per game (9.00). Lemcke finishes her career with 267 goals, 31 assists, 298 points, 161 ground balls, 178 draw controls and 71 caused turnovers.
 
Ryann Deuel was the third and last Panther named a first team member this season. She recorded 39 ground balls, 25 caused turnovers and a record breaking 157 draw controls. The freshman from Rockford led the WHAC and all of the NAIA in draw controls won this season by a wide margin. After playing one full season she is only 52 draw controls won away from tying the program record for most in a career.
 
Senior Tara Pluger was named a second team member for the second straight season. She finished this season with 37 goals and 69 goals for a team high 106 total points. The senior, also from Rockford, led both the WHAC and NAIA in assists (69) and assists per game (3.83). Pluger finishes her career at Davenport with 116 goals, 149 assists, 265 points, 125 ground balls, 53 draw controls and 49 caused turnovers.
 
The last Panther named an All-American this season was Taylor Ries. The freshman attacker from Ada notched 80 goals and 21 assists for 101 points during her initial season. She led the WHAC in game winnings goals this season with 0.33. Her 80 goals were the fourth most by anyone in the NAIA this season. She also picked up 33 ground balls, nine draw controls and caused seven turnovers.
 
Full NAIA Article Release
 
Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Graphic by: Steiner