NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – For the first time in program history, the Rutgers volleyball team has an All-Big Ten Scarlet Knight. Junior setter Inna Balyko was named First Team All-Big Ten in a vote by the league's coaches, it was announced on Thursday afternoon by the conference office.

Balyko, a two-time Big Ten Setter of the Week in 2021, averaged 8.95 assists per set and ranked seventh in the category in the nation's top conference. Altogether, she collected 2,709 helpers to move up to fifth all-time and second in the rally-scoring era.

The junior Scarlet Knight also totaled five double-doubles, 139 digs, 39 blocks, 29 kills and 20 aces in helping Rutgers to the most Big Ten wins since joining the league in 2014 and most conference wins since 2005.

Balyko placed her name into the Rutgers volleyball record book several times this season. In a 3-1 victory over Maryland, Balyko recorded a career-high 58 assists, which were the eighth-most in school history, most by a Scarlet Knight in Big Ten match and third-most by a Big Ten player this season. In total, six of Balyko's performances in 2021 were among the Rutgers top ten in assists for a Big Ten contest.



Senior Kamila Cieslik was also a Big Ten award winner earning the team's Big Ten Sportsmanship honor.

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