Kansas University volleyball added to its list of accomplishments this season as head coach Ray Bechard was named American Volleyball Coaches Association Midwest coach of the year and three Jayhawks were named to the AVCA All-Midwest Region first team on Tuesday.

Bechard earns AVCA regional coach of the year award for the third time in the past four years. Also the 2015 Big 12 coach of the year, Bechard is leading ninth-ranked Kansas into its second all-time appearance in the NCAA Championship Regionals with a program-record .933 winning percentage (28-2).

KU’s all-midwest region honorees include sophomore setter Ainise Havili, sophomore right-side hitter Kelsie Payne, and junior middle blocker Tayler Soucie.

Bechard and the trio of Jayhawks will now be considered for AVCA national coach of the year and All-America status.