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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 29, 2004
Copy by: Linda Poncin, AVCA coordinator of media relations
For more information: Kelly Stumph, AVCA coordinator of awards
Phone: 719-576-7777 ext. 109 E-Mail: kstumph@avca.org
2004 AVCA ALL-AMERICA TEAMS ANNOUNCED
FOR NCAA DIVISION II WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) is proud to announce the 24th annual AVCA All-America teams for NCAA Division II women's volleyball. The awards will be presented Dec. 1, 2004, at the NCAA Division II Elite Eight Tournament banquet at the Signature Grand in Davie, Florida. The NCAA Division II Elite Eight Tournament begins on Dec. 2 with quarterfinal matches being played at Health and Sports Center on the campus of Barry University.
UC San Diego senior setter Teresa Ohta was selected to the AVCA All-America First-Team for the second consecutive year. Nebraska-Kearney junior middle blocker Erin Gudmundson, North Florida senior setter Valerie Martinez, Truman senior outside hitter Jessica Sears and Minnesota Duluth senior outside hitter Callie Zwettler all moved up from second team to first team in 2004. North Florida senior middle blocker Jackie Struck was selected to the AVCA All-America Second-Team for the fourth time, while Queens (N.Y.) senior outside hitter Anna Bondarenko and St. Edward’s senior outside hitter Erika Figueiredo was tabbed AVCA All-American for the third time.
The 2004 All-America selections were made by the AVCA Division II All-America Committee: Kim Sudbeck, Augustana College (S.D.), chairperson; Jim Boos, University of Minnesota Duluth; Tia Brandel-Wilhelm, Ferris State University; Jim Callender, Western New Mexico University; Ginger Crissman-Ashley, Catawba College; Sandy Hoffman, Bentley College; Gary Lee, Millersville University; Peggy Martin, Central Missouri State University; and Kim Vinson, Cameron University.
2004 AVCA DIVISION II FIRST-TEAM ALL-AMERICA
Player Institution Pos. Yr. Ht. Hometown
Vicky Braegelmann University of Minnesota Duluth OH Fr.-R 6-0 Albany, Minnesota
Fernanda Brino Barry University OH Sr. 5-11 Sao Paulo, Brazil
Erin Gudmundson % University of Nebraska at Kearney MB Jr. 5-11 Kearney, Nebraska
Brianna Harris California State Univ., San Bernardino OH Sr. 6-0 Victorville, California
Valerie Martinez % University of North Florida S Sr. 5-9 Miami, Florida
Teresa Ohta * University of California San Diego S Sr. 5-6 Cypress, California
Carrie Ritchie Ashland University OH Sr. 5-10 Mansfield, Ohio
Michele Rosamiglia Barry University S Jr. 5-6 Sao Paulo, Brazil
Jessica Sears % Truman State University OH Sr. 5-10 Colchester, Illinois
Joy Wubben Concordia University-St. Paul MB Sr. 5-11 Prinsburg, Minnesota
Li YiZhi Lock Haven University MB So. 5-11 Shanghai, China
Callie Zwettler % University of Minnesota Duluth OH Sr. 5-7 Madison, Wisconsin
2004 AVCA DIVISION II SECOND-TEAM ALL-AMERICA
Player Institution Pos. Yr. Ht. Hometown
Erin Arnold & University of Nebraska at Kearney OH Sr. 5-10 Casper, Wyoming
Anna Bondarenko %# Queens College (N.Y.) OH Sr. 6-1 Almaty, Kazakhstan
Aimee Dewitte % Northern Michigan University OH Sr. 6-0 St. Charles, Illinois
Karla Fairbanks Ferris State University OH Sr. 5-11 Rogers City, Michigan
Kristin Koralewski * Northern Kentucky University OH Sr. 5-8 Muskego, Wisconsin
Tia Lindberg % Concordia University-St. Paul OH Sr. 5-11 Stacy, Minnesota
Elyse Mohme Central Missouri State University MB Sr. 6-2 Columbia, Illinois
Cathleen Price & California State Univ., San Bernardino MB Sr. 5-11 Gresham, Oregon
Sarah Shearman Truman State University OH So. 5-8 Manchester, Missouri
Jackie Struck %#$ University of North Florida MB Sr. 6-0 Spring, Texas
Ericka Womack University of Tampa MB Jr. 5-9 Tampa, Florida
Amber Zoglman Fort Hays State University MB Sr. 6-0 Goddard, Kansas
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ADD 1 – 2004 AVCA Division II All-America Teams
2004 AVCA DIVISION II THIRD-TEAM ALL-AMERICA
Player Institution Pos. Yr. Ht. Hometown
Elizabeth Anyigor-Abitogun Pittsburg State University MB Sr. 6-1 Delta, Nigeria
Erika Figueiredo &# St. Edward’s University OH Sr. 5-11 Joao Pessoa, Brazil
Greta Iisakka University of Minnesota Duluth S Sr. 5-9 Andover, Minnesota
LeAnne McGahuey Central Washington University MB Jr. 5-10 Wenatchee, Washington
Dani McHenry Washburn University OH Sr. 6-0 Topeka, Kansas
Liz Narkon Western New Mexico University OH So. 6-0 Honolulu, Hawai’i
Kate Reome Central Washington University S Sr. 5-8 Nine Mile Falls, Washington
Marta Slodnik Dowling College OH So. 5-11 Gdynia, Poland
Bethany Spilde University of Nebraska at Kearney S Jr. 5-9 Council Bluffs, Iowa
Cailin Terhaar Concordia University-St. Paul S Jr. 5-7 Apple Valley, Minnesota
Samanta Tucillo Barry University RS/Opp Sr. 6-1 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Bonnie Wilson University of California San Diego OH Sr. 6-0 Moraga, California
* indicates 2003 AVCA First-Team All-America selection
% indicates 2003 AVCA Second-Team All-America selection
# indicates 2002 AVCA Second-Team All-America selection
$ indicates 2001 AVCA Second-Team All-America selection
& indicates 2003 AVCA Third-Team All-America selection
2004 AVCA Division II Freshman of the Year: Beverly Stasis (Florida Southern College, OH)
2004 AVCA Division II Player of the Year: Announced Dec. 1, 2004
2004 AVCA DIVISION II HONORABLE MENTION ALL-AMERICA
Player Institution Pos. Yr. Ht. Hometown
Karla Bersano Barry University OH Sr. 6-1 Sao Paulo, Brazil
Allison Boddy University of Minnesota Duluth DS/Lib Jr. 5-5 New Ulm, Minnesota
Heather Bonde Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville MB Jr. 6-0 Millstadt, Illinois
Erin Brosz University of Nebraska at Kearney MB Jr. 6-0 Grand Island, Nebraska
Laura Ellerbusch University of Southern Indiana MB Jr. 6-0 Newburgh, Indiana
Te’Ara Epps Cal State L.A. MB Jr. 6-2 Tulare, California
Vanessa Ferretti University of North Alabama OH Jr. 6-0 Porto Allegre, Brazil
Nikki Green Mesa State College OH Jr. 5-10 Littleton, Colorado
Burcu Hakyemez New York Institute of Technology MB Sr. 6-1 Istanbul, Turkey
Becky Haug Central Missouri State University MB Jr. 6-0 Lee’s Summit, Missouri
Katie Hogan University of California San Diego MB Sr. 5-10 San Jose, California
Ashley Holt Fort Hays State University RS/Opp So. 6-1 Conway Springs, Kansas
Tracy Kirk Grand Valley State University MB Jr. 6-1 Cadillac, Michigan
Emily Kohler University of North Florida RS/Opp So. 5-11 Tallahassee, Florida
Shaun McAllister University of Indianapolis OH Sr. 5-10 Elkhart, Indiana
Amy McLeay University of Nebraska at Omaha OH Sr. 6-0 Omaha, Nebraska
Masha Mosenzhnik Queens College (N.Y.) OH Sr. 5-10 Kiev, Ukraine
Michelle Muniz Bryant University OH Jr. 5-8 Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
Sabrina Smart Cal State Bakersfield MB Sr. 5-10 Shafter, California
Katie Tarka Central Missouri State University DS/Lib So. 5-9 St. Charles, Missouri
Courtney Veasey Florida Southern College DS/Lib Sr. 5-4 Middleburg, Florida
Kaci Young Central Missouri State University S Jr. 5-8 Littleton, Colorado
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ADD 2 – 2004 AVCA Division II All-America Teams
AVCA All-America First-Team
Vicky Braegelmann, a 6-0 outside hitter for University of Minnesota Duluth, is a redshirt freshman from Albany, Minn.
Braeglemann has helped the Bulldogs to their first-ever trip to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight Tournament. She has averaged 3.41 kills and 0.80 blocks per game while hitting a team-leading .372 percentage. Braegelmann earned the NCC Player of the Week twice in 2004.
Fernanda Brino, a 5-11 outside hitter for Barry University, is a senior from Sao Paulo, Brazil. Brino has helped the Buccaneers back to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight for the first time since 2001. She averages 3.84 kills, 3.41 digs, 0.53 blocks and 0.61 aces per game. Brino attacks at a .321 percentage as Barry is 31-1 on the season with nine victories over current nationally ranked teams.
Erin Gudmundson, a 5-11 middle blocker for University of Nebraska at Kearney, is a junior from Kearney, Neb. Gudmundson, a two-time AVCA All-American, has helped the Lopers to a 39-0 record in 2004 and the number-one ranking in the CSTV/AVCA Division II Coaches Top 25 Poll. She ranks fifth nationally in attack percentage with a .423 mark. Gudmundson averages 4.88 kills and 1.04 blocks per game.
Brianna Harris, a 6-0 outside hitter for California State University, San Bernardino, is a senior from Victorville, Calif. Harris has sparked the Coyotes to a 27-3 overall record that has included five wins over nationally ranked opponents. She averages 5.31 kills, 2.79 digs and 0.72 blocks per game while hitting .322 in 2004. Harris set an NCAA Tournament record with 45 kills in the Coyotes’ five-game win over UC San Diego on Nov. 20.
Valerie Martinez, a 5-9 setter for University of North Florida, is a senior from Miami, Fla. Martinez, a two-time AVCA All-American and three-time AVCA All-South Region pick, led the Ospreys to a 30-6 overall record in 2004. She set UNF to a .286 team attack percentage and eight wins over nationally ranked opponents. Martinez ranks second nationally with 14.08 assists per game, in addition to 2.10 digs, 0.70 blocks and 0.89 kills per game.
Teresa Ohta, a 5-6 setter for UC San Diego, is a senior from Cypress, Calif. Ohta, a two-time AVCA All-America First-Team selection, was selected the CCAA Most Valuable Player in 2004. She finished the season with 1,329 assists, 87 kills, 30 aces, 259 digs and 32 blocks. Ohta is the school’s all-time leader in career assists and added 1,084 career digs.
Carrie Ritchie, a 5-10 outside hitter for Ashland University, is a senior from Mansfield, Ohio. Ritchie paced Ashland to its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division II Tournament as the Eagles are currently ranked 25th in the CSTV/AVCA Division II Coaches Top 25 Poll. She leads the nation in kills per game with 5.97, finishing the season with 699 kills. Ritchie was tabbed the GLIAC Player of the Year in 2004.
Michele Rosamiglia, a 5-6 setter for Barry University, is a junior from Sao Paulo, Brazil. Rosamiglia has led the third-ranked Barry Buccaneers to a 31-1 overall record, including a 9-1 mark against nationally ranked teams. She sets the Buccaneer offense in motion with a .311 team attack percentage. Rosamiglia averages 13.52 assists, 1.00 kills, 2.01 digs and 0.28 aces per game.
Jessica Sears, a 5-10 outside hitter for Truman State University, is a senior from Colchester, Ill. Sears has ignited the Bulldogs to a perfect 35-0 record and number-two ranking in the CSTV/AVCA Division II Coaches Top 25 Poll. She leads the team with a .303 hitting percentage, which ranks third in the MIAA. Sears, a two-time AVCA All-American, averages 3.66 kills and 3.44 digs per game in 2004.
Joy Wubben, a 5-11 middle blocker for Concordia University-St. Paul, is a senior from Prinsburg, Minn. Wubben paced the Golden Bears to a 32-3 record and spot in the NCAA Division II North Central Region finals. She averaged 4.36 kills and 1.42 blocks per game while hitting .386 in 2004. Wubben, the NSIC Player of the Year, reached 10 or more kills in 31 of 35 matches in her final season of competition.
Li Yizhi, a 5-11 middle blocker for Lock Haven University, is a sophomore from Shanghai, China. Yizhi has led the Lady Eagles back to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight Tournament with a 27-3 overall record. She currently leads the nation in attack percentage with a .463 mark. Yizhi averages 3.99 kills, 1.69 blocks, 3.60 digs and 0.38 aces per game en route to being named PSAC Player of the Year.
Callie Zwettler, a 5-7 outside hitter for University of Minnesota Duluth, is a senior from Madison, Wis. Zwettler has led the Bulldogs to the number-five ranking in the CSTV/AVCA Division II Coaches Top 25 Poll entering their first NCAA Division II Elite Eight appearance. She averages a team-best 4.98 kills per game to go with 3.38 digs and 0.33 aces per game. Zwettler is a two-time AVCA All-American, improving from second team in 2003.
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ADD 3 – 2004 AVCA Division II All-America Teams
AVCA All-America Second-Team
Erin Arnold, a 5-10 outside hitter for University of Nebraska at Kearney, is a senior from Casper, Wy. Arnold charts 3.52 kills, 3.68 digs and 0.37 aces per game in helping the Lopers to a 39-0 record in 2004. She has helped UNK return to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight for the second year in row and fourth time overall. Arnold is the school’s career kills leader and ranks third overall in career digs.
Anna Bondarenko, a 6-1 outside hitter for Queens College in New York, is a senior from Almaty, Kazakhstan. Bondarenko, a three-time AVCA All-America Second-Team selection, has led the Knights to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight Tournament for the second straight year. She averages 4.68 kills, 1.27 blocks, 3.04 digs and 0.52 aces per game in her final season. Bondarenko has attacked at a .373 clip, which ranks among the top 25 nationally.
Aimee Dewitte, a 6-0 outside hitter for Northern Michigan University, is a senior from St. Charles, Mo. Dewitte, a two-time AVCA All-America Second-Team selection, has helped the Wildcats to their first NCAA Division II Elite Eight appearance since 1997. She averages 3.72 kills, 3.44 digs, 0.68 blocks and 0.43 aces per game. Dewitte has 18 double-doubles for the 12th-ranked Wildcats.
Karla Fairbanks, a 5-11 outside hitter for Ferris State University, is a senior from Rogers City, Mich. Fairbanks averaged 4.85 kills and 0.59 aces per game while earning GLIAC North Division Player of the Week four times in 2004. She posted 20 or more kills in 15 of her last 23 appearances this season for a total of 538 kills. Fairbanks finished her career ranked third in school history with 1,649 kills and was 53 digs shy of 1,000-career digs.
Kristin Koralewski, a 5-8 outside hitter for Northern Kentucky University, is a senior from Muskego, Wis. Koralewski, a two-time AVCA All-American, was named the GLVC Player of the Year for the second straight season. She averaged 4.99 kills per game while hitting .382 for the season as the Norse won 22 of 31 matches. Koralewski finished her career with 1,485 kills and 1,192 digs, both ranking sixth in school history.
Tia Lindberg, a 5-11 outside hitter for Concordia University-St. Paul, is a senior from Stacy, Minn. Lindberg, a two-time AVCA All-American, helped the Golden Bears to a spot in the NCAA Division II North Central Region finals. She averaged 3.17 kills and 1.38 blocks per game for the seventh-ranked Golden Bears. Lindberg tallied 10 or more kills on 21 occasions in 2004, while hitting .350 or better in 18 matches.
Elyse Mohme, a 6-2 middle blocker for Central Missouri State University, is a senior from Columbia, Ill. Mohme turned in 4.40 kills and 0.87 blocks per game for the ninth-ranked Jennies in 2004. She produced a .361 individual attack percentage as she was selected All-MIAA First Team for the second time. Mohme’s 577 kills ranks fifth-best in school history, while her kill average is second-best in Jennies’ history.
Cathleen Price, a 5-11 middle blocker for California State University, San Bernardino, is a senior from Gresham, Ore. Price, a two-time AVCA All-American, ranks second in the nation in attack percentage with a .456 mark. She averages 3.70 kills, 2.49 digs and 1.05 blocks per game for the 27-3 Coyotes. Price has turned in nine double-doubles this season, including a 27-kill, 18-dig performance in the NCAA Pacific Region final against UC San Diego.
Sarah Shearman, a 5-8 outside hitter for Truman State University, is a sophomore from Manchester, Mo. Shearman leads the undefeated Bulldogs with averages of 4.55 points, 4.14 kills and 3.58 digs per game. She ranks sixth in the MIAA in attack percentage as she hits at a .301 clip. Shearman, the 2003 AVCA Division II National Freshman of the Year, has 19 matches with 100-plus kills, including seven with 20 or more kills.
Jackie Struck, a 6-0 middle blocker for University of North Florida, is a senior from Spring, Texas. Struck, a four-time AVCA All-America Second Team pick, helped the Ospreys to the NCAA Division II South Region Tournament finals. She averaged 4.55 kills, 1.37 blocks and 0.38 aces per game. Struck attacked at a .417 percentage in 2004, which ranks seventh in NCAA Division II.
Ericka Womack, a 5-9 middle blocker for University of Tampa, is a junior from Tampa, Fla. Womack averaged 1.28 blocks and 3.66 kills per game for the 14th-ranked Spartans. She attacked at a team-best .345 percentage as Tampa finished the season with a 24-6 record and 10th straight berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament. Womack is a two-time AVCA All-South Region selection.
Amber Zoglman, a 6-0 middle blocker for Fort Hays State University, is a senior from Goddard, Kan. Zoglman, the Tigers’ first-ever AVCA All-American, averaged 4.20 kills, 0.96 blocks and 1.13 digs per game. She hit at a .398 clip during the season for the 10th-ranked Tigers, who finished with a 31-5 record. Zoglman helped FHSU to the NCAA Division II Southwest Region Tournament Finals before losing for the fourth time to Nebraska-Kearney.
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ADD 4 – 2004 AVCA Division II All-America Teams
AVCA All-America Third-Team
Elizabeth Anyigor-Abitogun, a 6-1 middle blocker for Pittsburg State University, is a senior from Delta, Nigeria. Anyigor-Abitogun helped the Gorillas to this year’s NCAA Division II South Central Region Tournament semifinals. She led the MIAA in kills and points per game with 5.61 and 6.4, respectively, while adding a 1.08 block average. Anyigor-Abitogun, the MIAA Most Valuable Player, set the school’s single-season record with 716 kills in 2004.
Erika Figueiredo, a 5-11 outside hitter for St. Edward’s University, is a senior from Joao Pessoa, Brazil. Figueiredo, a three-time AVCA All-American, sparked the Hilltoppers to the NCAA Division II Southwest Region Tournament semifinals before losing a five-game match to Fort Hays State. She averaged 4.77 kills, 4.30 digs, 0.58 blocks and 0.48 aces per game in her final season. Figueiredo helped St. Edward’s capture its second Heartland Conference title.
Greta Iisakka, a 5-9 setter for University of Minnesota Duluth, is a senior from Andover, Minn. Iisakka directs the Bulldog offense on the court to a .249 team attack percentage, which includes nine matches against current nationally ranked teams. She averages 13.76 assists, 0.88 kills, 1.94 digs and 0.62 blocks per game. Iisakka is a two-time AVCA All-North Central Region selection.
LeAnne McGahuey, a 5-10 middle blocker for Central Washington University, is a junior from Wenatchee, Wash. McGahuey became the first player in school history to record more than 400 kills in a single season and averaged 4.56 per game. She helped the Wildcats to a 26-1 record in 2004, the only loss coming in the NCAA Division II Pacific Region Tournament. McGahuey also set a record with a .418 hitting percentage for the season.
Dani McHenry, a 6-0 outside hitter for Washburn University, is a senior from Topeka, Kan. McHenry, the Lady Blues’ first AVCA All-American, is a two-time AVCA All-South Central Region selection. She broke the school single-season record for kill average with 4.34, while adding per game averages of 3.49 digs and 0.73 blocks. McHenry completed her career with 1,491 kills and is a three-time All-MIAA First-Team pick.
Liz Narkon, a 6-0 outside hitter for Western New Mexico University, is a sophomore from Honolulu, Hawai’i. Narkon, the Mustangs’ first AVCA All-American selection, averaged 4.95 kills, 2.85 digs and 0.27 aces per game. She helped Western New Mexico to a 22-10 record and 6-4 mark in conference. Narkon was named All-Pacific West Conference First-Team as she led the league in kills.
Kate Reome, a 5-8 setter for Central Washington University, is a senior from Nine Mile Falls, Wash. Reome led NCAA Division II with a 14.25 assist per game average to go with a .281 team attack percentage. She added 2.95 digs and 0.23 aces per game in the Wildcats’ 26-1 campaign that ended with a loss in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Reome finished her career with 4,780 assists, including a single-season best of 1,297 in 2004.
Marta Slodnik, a 5-11 outside hitter for Dowling College, is a sophomore from Gdynia, Poland. Slodnik led Dowling into the NCAA Division II Northeast Region finals before losing to Queens. She was named All-NYCAC First-Team after guiding the Golden Lions to the league championship. Slodnik, the school’s first-AVCA All-American, averaged 5.23 kills and 3.2 digs per game.
Bethany Spilde, a 5-9 setter for University of Nebraska at Kearney, is a junior from Council Bluffs, Iowa. Spilde has paced the Lopers to a .324 team attack percentage and 39-0 record and top spot in the CSTV/AVCA Division II Coaches Top 25 Poll. She averages 13.40 assists, 0.87 kills, 2.78 digs and 0.66 blocks per game. Spilde is a two-time AVCA All-Southwest Region selection.
Cailin Terhaar, a 5-7 setter for Concordia University-St. Paul, is a junior from Apple Valley, Minn. Terhaar marched the Golden Bears to a spot in the NCAA Division II North Central Region Tournament finals and 32-3 overall record. She set the Golden Bears to a .283 team attack percentage. Terhaar ranks among the top nationally in assists per game with 13.56, while also adding 2.15 digs and 0.65 blocks per game.
Samanta Tucillo, a 6-1 right side/opposite hitter for Barry University, is a senior from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Tucillo has helped Barry to a 31-1 overall record, including a 30-match win streak heading into the NCAA Division II Elite Eight Tournament. She averages 3.08 kills, 3.00 digs and 0.62 blocks per game for the Bucs. Tucillo provides a .313 attack percentage and has 12 double-doubles on the season.
Bonnie Wilson, a 6-0 outside hitter for UC San Diego, is a senior from Moraga, Calif. Wilson, a two-time AVCA All-Pacific Region pick, set a Triton single-season school record with 439 kills in 2004. She helped UC San Diego advance to the NCAA Tournament Pacific Region final match this season. Wilson was selected to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Team as selected by CoSIDA.
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ADD 5 – 2004 AVCA Division II All-America Teams
AVCA Division II National Freshman of the Year
Beverly Stasis, a 5-10 outside hitter for Florida Southern College, is a freshman from Clearwater, Fla. Stasis, who was also selected AVCA All-South Region honorable mention, helped the Moccasins to a 28-9 overall record and spot in the NCAA Division II South Region semifinals. She averaged a team-leading 4.58 kills per game to along with averages 3.41 digs and 0.43 blocks per game. Stasis hit .221 in her first season.
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