LEXINGTON, Ky. - University of Dayton volleyball senior Lauren Bruns was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association Midwest Region Player of the Year as announced Tuesday, Dec. 4. Bruns is joined on the AVCA Midwest Region Team by sophomore Brooke Westbeld while senior Kendyll Brown was recognized on the AVCA Midwest Region Honorable Mention roster.

This is the first regional award for all three Flyers and the first time a Dayton player has been named a Midwest Region Player of the Year. Previously in the Northeast Region, Dayton's Faye Barhorst was named the Northeast Region Rookie of the Year in 2003.

Bruns finished her senior season leading the Atlantic 10 with 4.25 kills/set (26th NCAA). The 2018 A-10 Player of the Year was also recognized on the 2018 A-10 All-Conference First Team and All-Academic Team and she was named the A-10 Championship's Most Outstanding Player.

Westbeld recorded a program-record five triple-doubles during the 2018 season which ranked second in NCAA DI. She tallied a total of 14 double-doubles and posted a career-high 12 kills four times in 2018. Westbeld was named to the 2018 A-10 All-Conference Second Team and to the A-10 Championship All-Tournament Team.

Brown carried the Atlantic 10's third best hitting percentage (.356 - 58th NCAA) and her career .388 hitting percentage ranks second all-time in the Dayton record book and fifth among all DI active players in 2018. She also led the team with 1.05 blocks/set (5th A-10) and recorded a career-high nine blocks against Kansas on Aug. 31, 2018. Brown was named to the 2018 A-10 All-Conference First Team and the A-10 All-Championship.

All three will now be considered for AVCA All-America honors which will be announced Dec. 12.