SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Buhler High School graduate Caitlin Peterson (formerly Pankratz) was named the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) Coach of the Year, as the conference released its postseason awards and All-MIAA teams for the 2023 volleyball season on Wednesday.
Peterson graduated from Buhler High School in 2005 after a standout prep career.
Peterson in just her second season has guided the University of Central Missouri Jennies to the 2023 MIAA regular season title and the No. 1 seed in the MIAA Tournament, which begins on Thursday. Peterson served as the senior associate, associate, and assistant coach for the Jennies for the nine seasons prior to taking the head job.
She was inducted into the UCM Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019 and the MIAA Hall of Fame in 2020 for her playing career at UCM. She led her teams to a 149-39 record from 2005-09. She was the starting setter for four years and a team captain for two years.
Peterson finished her career for UCM ranked No. 2 all-time in assists with 5,502. She was also named an AVCA All-American and an First-Team All-MIAA selection. She is still in second place all-time in UCM history in total assists and is eighth all-time in the MIAA.
The Jennies will face Emporia State on Thursday in the first round of the MIAA Tournament with first serve scheduled for 5:00 p.m. from the St. Joseph Civic Arena in downtown St. Joseph, Mo.