PERU - Peru State College (PSC) President Dan Hanson recently announced that the college will join the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) with full membership beginning in fall 2011.

Hanson said, “We are excited to join the Heart of America Athletic Conference, one of the most highly respected conferences in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). It provides an opportunity for our football program to be part of the same conference as our other athletic teams, which had not previously been the case. We look forward to spirited competitions between Peru State and the other member institutions of the HAAC.”

PSC Athletic Director Steve Schneider said, “The HAAC prides itself as a conference where intercollegiate athletics is a mission driven activity reinforcing the values of its institutions and that of the NAIA. The high level of professionalism, focus on the student athlete, and the quality academic and athletic programs provide a good fit for Peru State College’s Athletic Department.

“Peru State Athletics is excited about the opportunity to be part of the HAAC. The member institutions are quality organizations lead by people of integrity, and we welcome the opportunity to compete on the athletic fields and in the classroom.”

Members of the HAAC, which was founded in 1971, include Avila University, Baker University, Benedictine College, Central Methodist University, Culver Stockton College, Evangel University, Graceland University, Lindenwood University, Mid-American Nazarene University and Missouri Valley College.

HAAC Commissioner Larry Lady, who serves the NAIA national office on several levels and as an NCAA Evaluator of Basketball Officials for the Big 12 Conference, said, “The Heart of America Athletic Conference is pleased to launch a new chapter in its history with the addition of Peru State College to its membership. Peru State’s most impressive attribute observed during the application process was its commitment to the NAIA Champions of Character initiative.”

Champions of Character is a nonprofit organization with the mission to change the culture of sports by promoting integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant-leadership.

BELLEVUE, Neb. -- Seven Bruins earned post-season honors as the 2009 all-Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference volleyball team was announced today in conjunction with the MCAC Volleyball Tournament being held on the Bellevue University campus.

The Bruins claimed four first-team selections, two second-team honors, and one honorable mention nod. In addition, Senior Rachel Muller was named the MCAC Player of the Year and Jordan Broady earned Freshman of the Year honors.

BELLEVUE, Neb. - Senior Rachel Muller and sophomore Maureen Wardian combined for 24 kills to lead the 14th-ranked Bellevue University volleyball team to a 25-13, 25-13, 25-21 sweep over Peru State College in the semifinals of the Midlands Collegeiate Athletic Conference Tournament Friday night at the Gordon Lozier Center.

The Bruins improved to 28-6 on the season and will face College of the Ozarks in the title match on Saturday at noon. Ozarks swept College of St. Mary, 25-20, 25-15, 25-13 in the tournament's first semifinal.

Peru State ended its season with a 14-19 overall record.

Muller recorded her team-leading 22nd double-double with 13 kills and 14 digs, while adding three blocks. Wardian blasted 11 kills on .526 hitting while adding a match-high five blocks.

Freshman Jordan Broady directed the BU offense to a .308 hitting percentage, dishing out 31 assists and adding six digs and a pair of blocks.

Junior Katy Gregory joined Muller in double-figure digs with 12.

Bellevue never trailed in the entire match, but endured five ties in the final set before pulling out the 25-21 victory.

Peru State was led by Chelsea Bergman's 10 kills and seven digs.

BELLEVUE - Sophomore Maureen Wardian led a trio of Bruins in double figures with 13 kills on a career-high .722 hitting percentage as 15th-ranked Bellevue University swept Peru State, 3-0 (25-8, 25-20, 25-17) Wednesday night (Oct. 21) in MCAC volleyball action at the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center.

Bellevue won its eighth-straight match and 25th-consecutive MCAC regular season match while improving to 22-6 overall and 10-0 in the league standings. Peru State fell to 13-15 and 7-4 in the conference.

Senior Rachel Muller collected her 18th double-double of the season with 11 kills and a match-high 12 digs.

Sophomore Kali Schnacker was the third Bruin in double figures with 10 kills on the night.

BU hit at a .419 clip with just 11 attack errors in the match.

The Bruins will host York College at noon on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center.

Read story at Bellevue University Web site

PERU, Neb. - Junior Jaclyn Thorson led a balanced Bruin attack as the 13th-ranked Bellevue University volleyball team swept Peru State 3-0 (25-22, 25-13, 25-12) Tuesday night in Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference action at the Al Wheeler Activity Center.

The Bruins, who have won eight-straight matches, improved to 10-1 on the season and 3-0 in the MCAC. Peru State fell to 4-7 overall and 1-1 in league play.

Peru State College defeated Concordia 3-0 on Friday evening at the Red Raider Classic Tournament. The Bulldogs dropped to 2-1 on the season with the loss. Scores of the match were 25-19, 25-21 and 25-16. Concordia will return to action Saturday with two more matches in the Red Raider Classic.

View Concordia University story

The Concordia University volleyball team opened the 2009 season with a 3-1 win over Peru State College on Aug. 23 evening. Scores of the match were 25-22, 21-25, 26-24 and 25-16.

“Tonight was a great win for us,” said Concordia head coach Rachel Miller. “We saw some things that we need to work on, but it was a nice start. We’re definitely excited to get the season going.”

Concordia defeated Peru State 25-22, 21-25, 26-24, 25-16.

Dani Hoagland led the way with 17 kills for the Bulldogs.

POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. - The 2009 MCAC Women's Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll was released Aug. 17 with Bellevue University favored to claim the conference championship.

Bellevue, the 2008 MCAC regular season and tournament champions, advanced to the NAIA National Tournament in 2008, earning a No. 4 final national ranking with a 32-6 overall record.

College of the Ozarks was picked second by the MCAC coaches after going 29-8 (12-2 MCAC) last season, while Peru State College earned the No. 3 position in the poll (19-11 overall, 10-4 MCAC in 2008).

Click to view Victory Sports Network story on Fred Aubuchon