November 17, 2023 | by Taylor Pill

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The National Christian College Athletic Association has named its 2023 Division II Women's Volleyball All-Americans, and Emily Johnson and Arielle Henkel have both made the cut as second-team honorees from Maranatha.

This is Johnson's fourth career All-American nod and a first for Henkel, as the duo of seniors wrap up their careers with the highest honors the NCCAA can give to a student-athlete.

Johnson ends her career with the all-time program record for career assists. Johnson's mark of 3,500 stands head and shoulders above the rest of the setters in the Maranatha record books, and the Daggett, Michigan native collected her first Regional Player of the Year honor this season, earning the Midwest Region MVP title after a stellar season. Johnson averaged 8.48 assists per set and 3.09 digs per set, pitching in 100 kills on the season along with 16 blocks. 

Johnson was named the NCCAA Student-Athlete of the Week twice this season and set the bar high as team captain, setting the all-time record for career assists in late September.

Henkel was at her best in her senior season - her second in Maranatha colors. The transfer from Bob Jones University registered 4.0 kills per set, 0.57 blocks per set, and 4.6 points per set this season. Henkel hit at a clip of .312 on the season and was the most prolific hitter in the Midwest Region for the 2023 season. Henkel ranked fifth in the NCCAA DII in attack percentage and second in kills per set.

For more on the NCCAA, go here.