Volleyball Voices

Three Seminoles Named to AVCA All-East Region Team

 

 

Three Seminoles Named to AVCA All-East Region Team

Seniors Fatma Yildirim and Sareea Freeman as well as junior Ashley Neff represent Florida State volleyball on regional level

                                                                                                

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (seminoles.com) – Seniors Fatma Yildirim and Sareea Freeman as well as junior Ashley Neff were named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-East Region Team, announced today by the Lexington, Ky. – based organization.

 

“I'm very proud of these three young ladies,” head coach Chris Poole said of his three honorees. “There are many great players in our region and we had a lot of different players step up at key times during the season, so it's not easy to make this list. Although we are disappointed in losing the last match, we are very proud of what this team accomplished throughout the season.  Once you get into the NCAA Tournament, you meet a lot of great teams.  If you have an off match, it will have consequences. Sareea, Ashley and Fatma were three of our most consistent players throughout the season and we appreciate them being awarded this great honor.”

 

It marks the second straight season Florida State volleyball has had three-student athletes named to the all-region team. Last year, All-Americans Visnja Djurdjevic, Jekaterina Stepanova and Neff were recognized. Of the current student-athletes on the list throughout the region, Neff joins Clemson’s Sandra Adeleye, Duke’s Ali McCurdy, North Carolina’s Emily McGee and Georgia Tech’s Monique Mead as multiple-time honorees.

 

With Freeman and Yildirim being first-time players named to the all-region team, Florida State has now had 29 players who have earned the honor in the program’s history. All three student-athletes in Neff, Freeman and Yildirim were instrumental in guiding Florida State to its second consecutive ACC championship in 2012. The Seminoles became the first ACC team to earn back-to-back titles since Maryland in 2003-04.

 

Neff was crowned as the ACC Player of the Year in 2012, as she finished with a .380 hitting percentage, 248 kills, 184 total blocks and averaged 1.61 blocks per set. Her blocks-per-set average was higher this season than her All-America year in 2011 and she also finished much better offensively. The Kennesaw, Ga. native’s block total this season ranks 10^th in school history, as she now owns two of the Top 10 totals.

 

Freeman finishes her career with a .356 hitting percentage that ranks as the third-highest in school history. The Fresno, Calif. native ended a remarkable senior campaign hitting .438, which could end up being the highest in the nation when the volleyball year is complete. Freeman broke a school record with four career ACC Player of the Week awards, earning the conference honor three times this season.

 

Yildirim wraps up her senior season with an all-region honor in addition to her all-conference award. The Istanbul, Turkey native was named to two all-tournament teams and led Florida State with 324 kills and 2.89 kills per set. Yildirim showed vast improvement on the defensive end this season, recording 2.75 digs per set.

 

On Wednesday, Dec. 12, the AVCA will announce the first, second, third and honorable mention All-America Teams.

 

Follow Florida State volleyball throughout the offseason on Seminoles.com, on Twitter at @FSU_Volleyball and through Facebook at Facebook.com/FSUVolleyball.

 

 

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Duke Volleyball: McCurdy Earns All-East Region Honors

 

 

Duke VB: McCurdy Earns All-East Region Honors

McCurdy Earns All-East Region Honors

 

December 4, 2012

 

DURHAM, N.C. – Libero Ali McCurdy earned AVCA All-East Region honors as announced by the American Volleyball Association Tuesday. The accolade is the second for McCurdy, who also picked up All-East Region recognition in 2011.

 

McCurdy, a 5-7 junior from Tampa, Fla., once again led the conference in digs per set (5.25), securing All-ACC honors. With 672 digs in 2012, she broke the Duke single-season record, a mark she set just last season. McCurdy totaled 20 or more digs in 16 matches while surpassing 30 digs three times. In addition, she surrendered just 23 receiving errors in 32 matches and anchored a Duke defense that limited opponents to .192 hitting.

 

After three seasons with the Blue Devils, McCurdy is the only player in Duke history to average over five digs per set (5.27). She ranks second in the school career records with 1,927 digs and is on pace to become just the second Blue Devil to reach the 2,000 career dig plateau.

 

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Five Nittany Lions Earn AVCA Mideast Region Honors

 

 

Five Nittany Lions Earn AVCA Mideast Region Honors

 

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., Dec. 4, 2012 – The No. 1 Penn State women’s volleyball team (31-2) picked up seven AVCA Mideast Region Awards, the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced Tuesday. Juniors Katie Slay (Raleigh, N.C.), Deja McClendon (Louisville, Ky.) and Ariel Scott (Ridgewood, N.J.) and sophomore Micha Hancock (Edmond, Okla.) were four of 14 players named to the all-region squad. In addition, freshman Megan Courtney (Dayton, Ohio) was named the Mideast Region Freshman of the Year and earned honorable mention all-region laurels, and head coach Russ Rose was tabbed the Mideast Region Coach of the Year.

 

The Nittany Lions’ five all-region awards bring Penn State’s total number of honorees to 76 in program history. Hancock, Slay, McClendon and Scott are now eligible for AVCA All-America honors, which will be announced in conjunction with the NCAA Championship in Louisville, Ky. on Dec. 13 and 15.

 

This is the fourth consecutive year and seventh time overall that a Penn State freshman has been named the Mideast Region Freshman of the Year. Courtney joins Cassy Salyer (2003), Nicole Fawcett (2005), Megan Hodge (2006), Darcy Dorton (2009), McClendon (2010) and Hancock (2011) as Penn State’s regional freshman of the year honorees.

 

This is the third accolade for McClendon, the second for both Scott and Slay, and a first for Hancock. Penn State’s five total all-region honorees were the most for any program in the region. Nebraska had four total and Minnesota had three, both including an honorable mention pick.

 

McClendon earned her third straight regional honor after being named to the all-region team as a freshman and sophomore. A three-time All-Big Ten honoree, she started all 33 matches at outside hitter for the Nittany Lions this season. McClendon is second on the team in kills with 367 and is averaging 3.25 kills per set. A 2012 Preseason All-Big Ten honoree, she also ranks second on the team in digs with 308 tallying 2.73 digs per set. She has led the team in kills 11 times and has posted 11 double-doubles this season. Earlier this season, McClendon surpassed the 1,000 career kills mark and has 1,217 for her career.

 

Scott garnered her second consecutive all-region accolade after also being named to the all-region team in 2011 as a sophomore. A 2012 All-Big Ten honoree, she was named the Big Ten Player of the Year. Scott was a Preseason All-Big Ten pick and leads the team in kills with 415 averaging 3.64 kills per set, which ranks ninth in the Big Ten. Scott, who was named the Big Ten player of the Week on Nov. 5, started all 33 matches at opposite. She has a .309 hitting percentage and is third on the team in blocks with 92, posting 0.81 per set. Scott, a 2011 AVCA Second Team All-American, has 21 double-digit kill matches and 28 multiple block matches heading into NCAA Regionals. She is approaching the 1,000 career kills milestone and currently has 976.

 

This is the second honor for Slay, who also was awarded All-Big Ten honors this season. She was the 2011 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and a 2012 Preseason All-Big Ten selection. Slay earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week accolades three times this season. She leads the Nittany Lions with a .430 hitting percentage, which ranks second in the Big Ten and seventh nationally. Slay also leads the team in blocks with 150 and blocks per set with 1.35. Her blocks per set average leads the Big Ten and ranks 27th in the nation. She has led the team in blocks 20 times. Slay is third on the team in kills with 260 and has hit .320 or better in 26 of 32 matches played. Her 406 career blocks rank 14th all-time at Penn State.

 

Hancock, the 2011 AVCA Mideast Region Freshman of the Year, was named to the all-region team for the first time. She was the inaugural Big Ten Setter of the Year and earned Big Ten postseason honors for the second year in a row. She was the 2011 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and a member of the Big Ten All-Freshman team. A Big Ten Player of the Week honoree and six-time Big Ten Setter of the Week selection, Hancock directed the Penn State offense to a .310 hitting percentage through the regular season and first and second rounds of the tournament. The hitting percentage leads the Big Ten and ranks third in the nation. She has guided three of her primary hitters to a .305 hitting percentage or better, and five of her primary hitters average 2.02 kills per set or more. Hancock, an AVCA National Player of the Week, ranks second in the Big Ten and 22nd nationally with 11.26 assists per set. She also leads the Big Ten and is third in the country with 0.65 aces per set. Hancock ranks third on the team in digs with 266, and has also tallied 71 blocks and 116 kills.

 

Courtney was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, the 10^th in the last 11 seasons for Penn State and the 11^th all-time to receive the recognition. Courtney has played in all 33 matches, starting 32, at outside hitter. She ranks fourth on the team in kills with 220, averaging 2.02 kills per set. A Big Ten Freshman of the Week, she is also fourth on the team in digs with 206, averaging 1.89 per set. Courtney has contributed 88 total blocks, including a team-best 27 solo.

 

Coach Rose, in his 34^th season at the helm of the Nittany Lion program, has guided the Nittany Lions to a 31-2 overall record so far this season. The Nittany Lions captured their 15^th Big Ten title with a 19-1 record in league play. It was the team’s ninth conference title in the last 10 years. He owns a career record of 1,088-174 and has coached Penn State to a 388-52 record in the Big Ten since joining the league for the 1991 season. This is his sixth AVCA Mideast Region Coach of the Year award. He also was honored in 1996, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. He is a member of the AVCA Hall of Fame and a four-time AVCA Coach of the Year (1997, 1999, 2007 and 2008).

 

The Nittany Lions advanced to the NCAA Regional Semifinals and take on No. 16 seed Kentucky on Friday, Dec. 7 at 5 p.m. The match will be streamed live on ESPN3.com.

 

For more information on the Penn State women's volleyball team, please visit GoPSUsports.com. The Penn State women's volleyball 2012 season is presented by Rockvale Outlets.

 

The Penn State women’s volleyball team is on Twitter and Facebook. Follow us @PennStateVBALL and at www.facebook.com/pennstatewomensvolleyball.

 

 

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Kansas Volleyball Coach Bechard Named AVCA Region Coach of the Year, Jarmoc All-Region First Team

 

 

Kansas Volleyball Coach Bechard Named AVCA Region Coach of the Year, Jarmoc All-Region First Team 

 

LAWRENCE, Kan. – A season of unprecedented success has landed 15-year Kansas head coach Ray Bechard the 2012 Division I AVCA Central Region Coach of the Year award and redshirt junior middle blocker Caroline Jarmoc AVCA All-Central Region First Team recognition.  

 

Bechard is the first KU coach to be bestowed the regional COY award, while Jarmoc becomes the second Jayhawk in history to earn the accolade. With the regional first team award, Jarmoc now moves on to consideration for All-America honors.

 

“This really is an honor, but it is more of a reflection of the best season in our history and what this coaching staff and this group of players were able to accomplish together,” Bechard said. “This is an award our team should share. I want to thank them for this ride they took all of us on. And Jarmoc, of course, was one of those pieces that made this team so successful. She is very deserving of this award.”

 

Under Bechard’s watch, the 2012 Jayhawks finished the year as the winningest team in program history (26-7, .765), collected more home wins (17) than any other year, earned a program-best No. 6 RPI ranking, was ranked nine-straight weeks in the top-25 and posted  its highest Big 12 Conference finish (3rd, 12-4). The regular-season success resulted in a No. 11 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and the opportunity to host the NCAA First and Second rounds, both firsts for the program. In his 15 year tenure, Bechard has become the program’s winningest coach (248-209 at Kansas; 964-269 overall) and has led KU to a .500 or better record in 11 of his 15 seasons.

 

Each of the eight honorees will represent their region on the 2012 AVCA National Coach of the Year ballot. The awards will be officially presented at the 2012 Jostens Coaches Honors Luncheon in Louisville, Ky. on Thursday, Dec. 13, at the 2012 American Volleyball Coaches Association Annual Convention. All-America honors will be announced on Dec. 12.

 

Jarmoc, a native of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, has enjoyed a long list of program firsts accompanied by a longer list of awards for her consistent performance all season long. It began with four-straight all-tournament honors in the pre-conference season, making her an all-tournament selection in every pre-conference invitational the Jayhawks have played in the last two years.

 

As the season progressed, so did Jarmoc. For all but four days in the middle of the 2012 season, Jarmoc led the Big 12 Conference in attack percentage and finished her redshirt junior campaign with the highest hitting efficiency in the league (.386) – breaking KU’s single-season record that stood for 10 years (Ashley Michaels, .363, 2002). She also now owns the program’s career attack percentage record (.330), also previously held by Michaels (.317).

 

In the final weeks of the season, Jarmoc surpassed multiple milestones for Kansas, highlighted by becoming the fourth Jayhawk in history to reach 400 career blocks (411) and the first to record more than 400 kills (424) and 150 blocks (157) in the same season. When she enters her senior season, Jarmoc could be the only player to post 200 kills and 100 blocks in four-straight seasons, as she has now accomplished the feat in her first three years.

 

Additionally, Jarmoc led the Jayhawks in 2012 with 31 service aces to showcase her effectiveness in several aspects of the game. When KU’s season came to a close in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, the versatile middle blocker finished top-five in the Big 12 in hitting percentage (.386, 1^st), points per set (4.46, 2^nd), kills per set (3.45, 4^th) and blocks per set (1.28, 4^th).

 

“It’s very exciting,” Jarmoc said. “As per the usual, I couldn’t have done this without my team’s hard work. They allow me to excel on the court because of what they do. I wouldn’t be here without them. It just gives me more motivation to do better next year and help my team get even farther in the tournament.”

 

Bechard’s 2012 Accolades

-Big 12 Coach of the Year

-AVCA Central Region Coach of the Year

 

Jarmoc’s 2012 Accolades

-AVCA All-Central Region First Team

-All-Big 12 First Team

-Capital One CoSIDA All-District 7 First Team

-AVCA/Sports Imports National Player of the Week (Oct. 23)

-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 22)

-Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 10)

-Golden Dome Invitational, Tournament MVP

-Jayhawk Invitational, Tournament MVP

-Kansas Volleyball Invitational, Tournament MVP

-Arkansas Invitational, All-Tournament Team

-Preseason All-Big 12 Team

 

KUAthletics.com:  The official online source for Kansas Athletics, Williams Education Fund contributions, tickets, merchandise, multimedia, photos and much, much more.

 

 

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Okpala named first-team All-Region; Roenicke and Johnson merit honorable mention

 

 

Okpala named first-team All-Region; Roenicke and Johnson merit honorable mention

 

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Sophomore middle blocker Chisom Okpala was one of three 49ers selected for the AVCA All-West Region team, and the only player named to the first team. Setter Tara Roenicke and outside hitter Janisa Johnson each received honorable mention honors.

 

                Okpala led the 49ers with a .328 hitting percentage, a mark that was third in the Big West, and ranked among the conference leaders in kills, blocks, hitting percentage, and points scored in Big West play. Expected to spend the season in a backup role, Okpala emerged as a star in the Big West, and was the only 49er named to the 14-person first-team, which encompasses the top players from the WAC, the Mountain West, and the Big West.

 

                With her selection, Okpala is entered in the All-America consideration, along with all other members of the first-team from the eight regions. Okpala was one of six players to earn first-team honors from the Big West.

 

                Roenicke and Johnson both were named honorable mention, two of six players recognized with that honor. Roenicke led the 49ers to a .228 season hitting percentage while leading the Big West with 10.75 assists per set, while Johnson led the 49ers in both kills and digs during the 2012 season.

 

                With three selections, the 49ers tied with Colorado State for the most all-region picks of any school. All three were previously chosen on the first team for All-Big West, and it is the first selection to an All-Region team for each as well.

 

 

 

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Colorado State Rams Volleyball Players Cranston, Plourde named to AVCA All-West Region team

 

 

Colorado State Rams Volleyball Players Cranston, Plourde named to AVCA All-West Region team 

 

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Seniors Dana Cranston and Megan Plourde have been named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-West Region team. The AVCA made the announcement on Tuesday.

Of the 112 selections, 50 are seniors, but just four—including Plourde—have earned all-region honors each year of their careers. Plourde is the first player in CSU and Mountain West history to earn the recognition each year of her career. No other CSU player has been represented more than twice.

“The trademark of Meg has been her consistency throughout her career,” Head Coach Tom Hilbert said. “She’s always good; she’s always good in big matches. She’s always been very focused on what she needs to do to be a better player, and when you have that kind of attitude you end up being very impactful to your team, and this is the result of it.”

The senior from Somerset, Wis., averaged 1.53 blocks per set (second in the MW), in addition to recording 2.91 kills and a conference-best .358 hitting. Last week, she became the second player in Mountain West history and fourth CSU player to ever be named to four all-conference teams. In 2011, she was named an AVCA All-American after leading the nation with 1.71 blocks per set.

“I feel super blessed to receive this honor,” Plourde said. “My coaches and teammates have put me in such a good place and have given me so many opportunities throughout my career. My coaches seriously made me believe in myself, and Tom (Hilbert) has always been there for me through my ups and downs. I’m so thankful for everything they’ve given to me and for putting me in this position that I’ve been in.”

Cranston, a native of Fort St. John, B.C., was named the 2012 Mountain West Volleyball Player of the Year after averaging 3.62 kills and 4.28 points per set—both second in the MW. Additionally, her conference hitting percentage of .277 ranked first among outside hitters and her 0.31 aces per set in league play was second. A versatile six-rotation player, Cranston also placed in the top four on her team in digs, blocks and assists.

Added Hilbert: “This was a year where Dana was put in a new position, where she had to play a bigger role on our team. If you would have asked Dana at the beginning of the year if this was a goal of hers she wouldn’t care; she just wanted to do that new role of being the anchor outside hitter well. She did that role really well, and this is showing that people respect that.”

With the pair of selections, CSU has had at least two players recognized each season since 2007.

The West Region encompasses schools from the states of California, Colorado, Hawai’i, Idaho, New Mexico, Texas and Wyoming. In all, seven Mountain West student-athletes were selected to all-region teams.

Fourteen players were named to each of the eight All-Region teams. Additionally, six players for each region were named honorable mention selections, including fellow senior Brieon Paige.

Paige hit with high efficiency, averaging 2.57 kills and 0.97 blocks on .357 hitting. During MW play, she ranked first in hitting percentage (.391) and eighth in blocks (1.09 per set).

"Brieon also had an exceptional season," Hilbert said. "She was a key player on our team, and I believe she deserved to be recognized, as well."

The Rams concluded 2012 with a record of 21-8, including winning a fourth consecutive Mountain West title. With the championship, CSU earned a trip to the NCAA tournament for the 18th straight season—the seventh longest streak in the country—before falling to No. 22 Purdue in the first round.

Cranston and Plourde will now await the announcement of the AVCA All-America selections, which is slated for Dec. 12. Ten players have won 12 total All-America awards in CSU history, which ranks 17th nationally.

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Selsky, Campbell, Krabacher Named First Team All Northeast Region

 

 

Selsky, Campbell, Krabacher Named First Team All Northeast Region

 

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The American Volleyball Coaches Association released their All-Region teams for women's volleyball and named three University of Dayton Flyers to the All-Northeast Region squad.

Senior Rachel Krabacher, senior Samantha Selsky, and junior Megan Campbell were all named to the First Team All-Northeast Region for their efforts this season.  This marks the second year in a row that all three girls received first team honors.  Together, these three accomplished young women led Dayton to its fourth straight Atlantic 10 regular season and A-10 Tournament Championship titles.  The Flyers finished the season 27-5 and made it all the way to the second round of the NCAA Division I Championships.  Dayton also put together a 19-match winning streak during the season.

Krabacher and Selsky will leave Dayton as part of the most successful class in Dayton volleyball history.  Campbell will return for her senior year next season.  All three Flyers were named first team All-Atlantic 10 Conference, while Krabacher was named A-10 Player of the Year and Selsky was named A-10 Setter of the Year.  Campbell also earned first team Academic All-District honors.

The AVCA is an organization headquartered in Lexington, Ky. with the mission of advancing the sport of volleyball and its coaches. Using the core values of diversity, integrity, service and influence, the AVCA strives to better the sport of volleyball and its participants.

Martina Samadan from VCU was the only other Atlantic 10 player named to the All-Region team.  Dayton tied for the most number of players on the All-Northeast Region team with three.  Louisville and Marquette also had three honorees.

 

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UTSA Junior Outside Hitter McKenzie Adams named AVCA All-West Region

 

 

UTSA junior outside hitter McKenzie Adams named AVCA All-West Region on Tuesday

LEXINGTON, Ky. – UTSA junior outside hitter McKenzie Adams has been selected to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-West Region Team, it was announced on Tuesday.

Adams, who was tabbed the 2012 Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Player of the Year two weeks ago, becomes the first all-region selection in program history.

The 6-foot-3 outside hitter became the third player in WAC history to be named Player of the Week five times during the season (Hawai'i's Kanani Danielson 2009/New Mexico State's Pauline Manser 1991). She finished second in the league with 4.85 points and 4.35 kills per set, while her mark of 3.84 digs was good for fourth. The Schertz native also was named to the conference's all-tournament team.

Adams has collected superlative awards in the first three seasons of her career.

Last year she was named the Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year and, in 2010, she was tabbed the NCAA East Region, Atlantic Coast Conference and Virginia Sports Information Directors Freshman of the Year while competing at Virginia.

- UTSA -

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Nebraska Volleyball: Four Huskers Named All-Region

Nebraska Volleyball: Four Huskers Named All-Region

 

Lincoln - The Nebraska volleyball team had four players earn all-region honors on Tuesday from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). Seniors Lauren Cook, Gina Mancuso and Hannah Werth were named to the 14-member Mideast Region first-team, while freshman Meghan Haggerty was named honorable mention.

Mancuso, who was named a unanimous First-Team All-Big Ten pick for the second consecutive year last week, has been key for the Husker offense in 2012. As a senior, the Omaha, Neb., native has led Nebraska in kills as she has posted a total of 377 on the season and an average of 3.43 kills per set, while ranking 10^th in the Big Ten in kills. She has recorded nine double-doubles on the year and has notched at least 10 kills in 23 matches this season, recording a season-high 20 kills three times in 2012. She also ranks ninth in the conference in service aces with an average of 0.28 per set.

Cook has put together a stellar senior campaign, averaging 11.12 assists per set and totaling 1,290 total assists on the season. She ranks fourth in the league in assists, while notching a team-best 17 double-doubles (assists-digs). Cook helped Nebraska hit .300 or better in 17 out of 31 matches in 2012, including a season-high .471 hitting percentage against Iowa on Nov. 21. She has totaled 50 or more assists six times in 2012, including a season-high 56 against UCLA on Aug. 25. 

Werth has continued to put together a stellar Husker career in her senior season. She is averaging 3.07 kills per set and has 341 total kills on the season. She ranks second on the team in kills and is first in digs with 354 on the year and an average of 3.19 digs per set. She owns 14 double-doubles on the season and has totaled at least 10 kills in 19 matches, while notching at least 10 digs in 19 matches.

Haggerty, who earned unanimous All-Freshman Team honors last week, has excelled during her outstanding inaugural year with the Huskers. She made an immediate impact for Nebraska, becoming just the eighth true freshman to start a season opener during John Cook's career at NU. She posted a team-high 17 kills against UCLA, the most by a Nebraska middle blocker since Tracy Stalls tallied 17 against UCLA during the 2006 National Semifinal match. With a hitting percentage of .345 on the season, she leads all Huskers hitters in efficiency. Haggerty is also second on the team in blocks with 106 on the year and an average of 0.96 blocks per set. 

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Liberty outside hitter Caroline Douglas Named Honorable Mention All-Region

 

 

Douglas Named Honorable Mention All-Region

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Following a standout redshirt freshman season, Liberty outside hitter Caroline Douglas has been named an honorable mention American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-East Region honoree.

        Douglas is the sixth Lady Flame all-time to be honored as an AVCA All-Region selection, and first since middle blocker Chelaine McCarty (honorable mention) received the award in 2009.

        A native of Greenville, N.C., Douglas was tabbed Big South Player of the Year and Big South Freshman of the Year this season. She is the first Big South volleyball student-athlete to be named conference player of the year and freshman of the year in the same season. Douglas helped the Lady Flames claim their seventh Big South tournament title, earning All-Tournament honors in the process.

        Douglas led the Big South in kills, averaging 3.69 kills per set. She recorded 26 kills at High Point, tying for the most by a Big South player this season. Douglas ended the season by registering a match-high 12 kills during Liberty’s NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship first round match at No. 8 seed Minnesota.

        Liberty (25-8) won its second straight conference tournament title, fourth in the last six seasons and seventh overall in 2012. The Lady Flames have now won the Big South regular-season title six straight years, have posted six straight 20-win seasons, and appeared in the conference title match six years in a row.

 

2012 AVCA All-East Region Team

Sandra Adeleye, Clemson, MB Sr.

Kelly Bacon, Northeastern, OH, Jr.

Megan Cyr, North Carolina State, S, Sr.

Sareea Freeman, Florida State, MB, Sr.

Alex Johnson, Miami, RS, Jr.

Ali McCurdy, Duke, L, Jr.

Emily McGee, North Carolina, OH, Sr.

Monique Mead, Georgia Tech, RS, Sr.

Alexis Mourning, Miami, MB, So.

Ashley Neff, Florida State, MB, Jr.

Paige Neuenfeldt, North Carolina, MB, Fr.

Emani Sims, Miami, MB, So.

Nrithya Sundararaman, Miami, S, Sr.

Fatma Yildirim, Florida State, OH, Sr.

 

Region Freshman of the Year: Paige Neuenfeldt, North Carolina, MB

 

Honorable Mention

Cara Baarendse, Virginia Tech, MB, Sr.

Ashleigh Crutcher, Maryland, OH, So.

Caroline Douglas, Liberty, OH, R-Fr.

I'ishah Keliikoa, Towson, MB, Sr.

Chaniel Nelson, North Carolina, RS, So.

Ryan Shaffer, Miami, L, Jr.

 

- LibertyFlames.com -

 

 

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Kristin Winkler Garnes AVCA All-West Region Accolade

 

 

IRVINE, Calif. --- Kristin Winkler was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-West Region team, making her the first Anteater libero to be recognized by the AVCA.

Winkler highlighted her senior year by breaking several dig records, including the Big West Conference’s career mark, eclipsing the previous mark of 2,164. With 2,260 digs, Winkler became the only Anteater to reach the 2000-dig plateau in the UCI career record books and the 5-8 talent also scooped up the UCI season record with 676. With her record-breaking senior campaign, Winkler is the only Anteater to appear in the season top 10 records all four years and sits at the Nos. 1, 3, 5 and 7 spots. This season Winkler re-wrote the Anteater single-match record twice, first with 35 digs against Arizona State and then again with 36 against Pacific and she now holds the top five spots in the match annals. Winkler also broke into the career top 10 in service aces with 102, firing a team-leading 26 service winners this year.

Winkler ended the regular-season ranked 13^th in the nation in dig average at 5.68 and is just one of two from the Big West to sit in the top 20.

 

 

Kristin Winkler Garnes AVCA All-West Region Accolade

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USC’s Samantha Briscio Named Pacific Region Freshman of the Year

 

 

Bricio Named Pacific Region Freshman of the Year

 

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced its annual regional awards and 10 from the Pac-12 were selected to the 14-player All-Pacific Region team, arguably the most competitive region. In addition, USC’s Samantha Bricio was named the Pacific Region Freshman of the Year.

 

An outside hitter, Samantha Bricio (Guadalajara, Mexico) was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and was one of five freshman in the league to be named to the All-Pac-12 team. She leads the Conference with 0.35 service aces per set, and ranks fourth in kills (4.10) and points (4.64) per set. She has led the Trojans to the NCAA Regional semifinals in Austin where they will face Wichita State on Friday.

 

Both OREGON and USC had three players each named to the all-region squad, tying for the most. STANFORD placed two players on the team, while UCLA and WASHINGTON each had one. Pac-12 Player of the Year Alaina Bergsma from Oregon headlines the team. Joining her are Duck teammates Lauren Plum, the Pac-12 Setter of the Year, and Liz Brenner.

 

In addition to Bricio, two-time Pac-12 Libero of the Year Natalie Hagglund and Katie Fuller were named to the all-region team. Stanford’s Inky Ajanaku and Carly Wopat, the Huskies Krista Vansant and UCLA’s Tabi Love all appear on the All-Pacific Region team.

 

Three more from the Pac-12 were honorable mention: Haley Jacob of Oregon; Rachael Kidder of UCLA; and Kylin Muñoz of Washington.

 

Stanford, Oregon, USC and Washington have all advanced to the NCAA regional semifinals which begin on Friday, Dec. 7. All the matches will be streamed on ESPN3.com. If Pac-12 teams advance, the regional finals are scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 8. All regional finals will be televised on ESPNU.

 

For more information on the AVCA and its awards, visit avca.org.

 

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Fuller, Hagglund, and Bricio Receive AVCA Pacific Region Honors

 

 

Fuller, Hagglund, and Bricio Receive AVCA Pacific Region Honors

Samantha Bricio was selected as the Pacific Region Freshman of the Year

 

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced its annual all-region teams on Tuesday (Dec. 4) with USC senior opposite hitter Katie Fuller, junior libero Natalie Hagglund, and freshman outside hitter Samantha Bricio each on the All-Pacific Region team. Bricio was honored as the Pacific Region’s Freshman of the Year. Each of the Trojans is now eligible to be selected as an AVCA All-American while Bricio is also in the running to be named the National Freshman of the Year.

 

It is the second All-Pacific Region honor for Hagglund who became USC’s first-ever All-American libero a year ago. Fuller was an all-region honorable mention as a junior and is making her first appearance on the all-region team. Bricio receives her first regional honors.

 

USC is one of two Pacific Region teams with three players on the all-region team. Fellow Pac-12 school Oregon is the other with conference Player of the Year Alaina Bergsma, Liz Brenner, and Lauren Plum. Stanford had two players: Carly Wopat and the only other freshman on the team, Inky Ajanaku. UCLA’s Tabi Love and Washington’s Krista Vansant rounded out the Pac-12’s 10 selections to the regional team. Pepperdine and Brigham Young each had two players on the team to round out the 14-player roster. BYU head coach ShawnOlmstead received regional Coach of the Year honors after he led the Cougars to a 28-3 overall record; 13-3 in the West Coast Conference.

 

Hagglund leads the Pac-12 in digs, this season, with 5.03 dps, and had a match in which she logged a career-high 44 digs to lead the Trojans to a four-set upset of then top-ranked Stanford. Hagglund received the Pac-12’s Libero of the Year award for the second year in a row and was chosen for All-Conference honors for a second time. She was named conference DefensivePlayer of the Week three times and also earned Pac-12 academic honorable mention. Hagglund was a Capital One CoSIDA Academic All-District 8 first-team selection and was named to the all-tournament team in each of USC’s four pre-conference tourneys.

 

Fuller ranks second on the team in points (417.0) and kills (3.27 kps) this season. She was selected for Pac-12 All-Conference honorable mention for the second year in a row and was one of 30 candidates for the Senior CLASS Award. Fuller was named to all-tournament teams in each of USC’s four pre-conference tourneys and was twice chosen as the most valuable player. She moved into the Trojans’ top 10 list for career points, this year, and currently has 1,094.0.

 

Bricio was the Pac-12’s Freshman of the Year and was named to the All-Conference Team, the All-Freshman Team, and Conference Freshman of the Week five times in her first year on campus. Bricio was also named Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 8, which was followed by honors as theAVCA National Player of the Week, the NCAA.com Player of the Week, and the College Volleyball Update National Player of the Week. Bricio was named to the all-tournament team in all four of USC’s pre-conference tourneys and was twice chosen as the tournament MVP. She leads the team in points (541.0) and kills (4.10 kps) while hitting .242, this season. She is six kills away from cracking USC’s top 10 single-season performances and is already tied for eighth in single-season service aces with 40. Her 1,263 attacks this season ranks fifth all-time at USC for single-season attempts.

 

Seeded sixth, USC (29-5) will face Wichita State (24-9) in the round of 16 of the 2012 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship. The Women of Troy and the Shockers will face each other in the Austin Regional semifinal hosted by the University of Texas in a 5 p.m. CT (3 p.m. PT) match at Gregory Gym on Friday, Dec. 7. The winner will advance to the regional championship match set for Saturday, Dec. 8, at 8 p.m. CT (6 p.m. PT) to face either third-seeded Texas (25-4) or 14th-seeded Florida (27-4). The Longhorns and the Gators will play their semifinal match at 7 p.m. CT on Friday. Please visit www.USCTrojans.com for more information.

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USC Tabbed Fifth in AVCA Preseason Coaches Top 25 Poll

 

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The USC women’s volleyball team received the fifth-place ranking in the AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association) preseason poll for the 2012 season. The Women of Troy are coming off back-to-back appearances in the NCAA national semifinal match; their seventh in the last 12 years. USC finished with a 29-5 record last year and held the No. 3 ranking in the final AVCA coaches poll.

 

The Trojans are the first-ever defending Pac-12 champions after posting a 20-2 mark in conference play with four players named to the AVCA All-America team a year ago. USC returns its first-ever All-American libero in 2012 as junior Natalie Hagglund leads a squad that was selected to finish third in the Pac-12 by the league’s head coaches.

 

Defending NCAA champion UCLA received 54 first-place votes (out of 60) and holds the top ranking in the preseason poll. Texas, Penn State, and Nebraska follow the Bruins. Stanford is ranked sixth and is followed by Illinois, Hawai’i, Purdue, and Iowa State.

 

The Pac-12 has five teams in the top 25 as Washington checks in at No. 14, with California at 17th, and Oregon at No. 20. Arizona also received votes in the first poll of the season, but did not crack the top 25.

 

USC’s 2012 schedule will involve 14 matches against teams that received votes in the preseason poll. In addition to each of the Pac-12 teams they face, the Trojans will host 19th-ranked San Diego and 21st-ranked Northern Iowa in home tournaments, this fall. Texas A&M, who also received votes, is USC’s second opponent in a season-opening road tournament at College Station, Texas.

 

USC will host rival UCLA on Wednesday, Sept. 19, to open the Pac-12 schedule; a match that will be televised nationally by ESPNU. For a complete schedule and more information, please visit USCTrojans.com.