2008 AVCA Division III All-America Teams
11/18/2008
LEXINGTON, Ky. - The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) is proud to announce the 28th annual AVCA All-America teams for NCAA Division III women's volleyball. The awards will be presented Nov. 19, 2008, at the NCAA Division III Women's National Championship banquet in Bloomington, Ill., where the 2008 Division III AVCA Player of the Year will be announced. The NCAA Division III national quarterfinals begin Nov. 20.
The 2008 class has many new faces: 31 of the 42 have not previously been on an AVCA All-America team. This year's group contains one, three-time selection: Juniata College senior outside hitter Amber Thomas, who also joins Brianna Gonzales of University of La Verne, Katie McCaffrey of University of St. Thomas and Nikki Morrison of Washington University-St. Louis as repeat first-team honorees.
The 2008 All-America selections were made by the AVCA Division III All-America Committee: Danny Miller, Averett, chairperson; Julie Hall, Elmhurst; Steph Schleuder, Macalester; Paul Dill, MIT; Cal Wickens, Nazareth; Amber Warners, Calvin; Valerie Cowan, Pomona-Pitzers; Harleigh Chwastyk, Swarthmore.
2008 AVCA DIVISION III FIRST-TEAM ALL-AMERICA
Player Institution Pos. Yr. Ht. Hometown
Christina Cahoon Univ. of Wisconsin-Oshkosh DS/Lib. So. 5'4 Watertown, Wisconsin
Brianna Gonzales ! University of La Verne OH Sr. 5'10 Whittier, California
Dani Huffman Emory University MB Sr. 5'11 San Diego, California
Crista Jones University of La Verne MB Jr. 5'10 Fresno, California
Rebecca Kamp Calvin College MB Fr. 6'1 Palos Heights, Illinois
Katie McCaffrey ! University of St. Thomas MB Sr. 6'0 Fort Collins, Colorado
Alysse Meyer $ Emory University OH Jr. 6'0 Stockton, California
Nikki Morrison !$ Washington University-St. Louis RS/Opp. Sr. 5'11 Lincoln, Nebraska
Jackie Randolph California State Univ.-East Bay OH Sr. 5'10 Alameda, California
Liz Schnelle ^ Ohio Northern University MB Jr. 5'11 New Breman, Ohio
Brianne Stankus Univ. of Wisconsin-La Crosse RS/Opp. Jr. 5'10 Burlington, Wisconsin
Rachel Swoboda Carthage College RS/Opp. So. 5'9 Wrightstown, Wisconsin
Amber Thomas !*@ Juniata College OH Sr. 5'10 Ephrata, Pennsylvania
Katie Weininger Ohio Northern University S Sr. 5'6 Sycamore, Ohio
2008 AVCA DIVISION III SECOND-TEAM ALL-AMERICA
Player Institution Pos. Yr. Ht. Hometown
Alli Alberts Washington University-St. Louis OH Sr. 5'9 Smithton, Illinois
Lindsey Benson California Lutheran University S Sr. 5'6 Woodland Hills, California
Liz Bush Christopher Newport University RS/Opp. Sr. 6'1 Springfield, Virginia
Lisa Drennan Wesleyan University OH Sr. 6'0 Ann Arbor, Michigan
Emily Foster University of St. Thomas S So. 5'10 Hopkins, Minnesota
Abby Freiborg Univ. of Wisconsin-Eau Claire OH Sr. 5'8 Sacred Heart, Minnesota
Emma Jaynes College of St. Benedict OH Jr. 5'10 Hibbing, Minnesota
Allison Kerr California Lutheran University MB So. 5'11 Wildwood, Missouri
Katie Lundgren Carthage College DS/Lib. Jr. 5'9 Hawthorn Woods, Illinois
Courtney Reinhold Eastern University OH Fr. 5'7 Adamstown, Pennsylvania
Natalie Schonefeld Emory University S Fr. 5'7 Louisville, Kentucky
Megan Sollenberger ^ Juniata College DS/Lib. Jr. 5'5 Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Steph Strauss Juniata College S So. 5'11 Penn Hills, Pennsylvania
Jackie Williams % Wittenberg University RS/Opp. Sr. 6-1 Rocky River, Ohio
(More)
2008 AVCA DIVISION III THIRD-TEAM ALL-AMERICA
Player Institution Pos. Yr. Ht. Hometown
Erin Albers Washington University-St. Louis MB Jr. 6'2 Bellville, Illinois
Abby Bade Nebraska Wesleyan University OH Sr. 5'7 Lincoln, Nebraska
Anna Clithero Colorado College OH Sr. 5'11 West Linn, Oregon
Lauren Dinsdale Skidmore College DS/Lib. Jr. 5'6 Harrington Park, New Jersey
Ali Drushal The College of Wooster DS/Lib. Sr. 5'4 Lakeville, Ohio
Audra Gentry Southwestern University (Texas) OH Jr. 5'7 Albuquerque, New Mexico
Jamie Grauvogel College of Mount St. Joseph OH So. 6'1 Cleves, Ohio
Beth Hanna ! Pacific Lutheran University MB So. 6'0 Clackamas, Oregon
Maria Horning Eastern University S Fr. 5'8 Denver, Pennsylvania
Caroline Keener % Trinity University (Texas) S Sr. 5'8 Plano, Texas
Kaela Parnell Hardin-Simmons University MB Jr. 5'11 Carrolton, Texas
Jacque Ray Univ. of Wisconsin-Oshkosh MB Jr. 5'11 Richland Center, Wisconsin
Katelynn Reed Nazareth College MB Sr. 5'11 Horseheads, New York
Rebecca Salvo % Haverford College OH Jr. 5'10 La Canada, California
! indicates 2007 AVCA First-Team All-America selection
% indicates 2007 AVCA Second-Team All-America selection
^ indicates 2007 AVCA Third-Team All-America selection
* indicates 2006 AVCA First-Team All-America selection
$ indicates 2006 AVCA Third-Team All-America selection
@ indicates 2005 AVCA Third-Team All-America selection
2008 Division III AVCA Freshman of the Year: Rebecca Kamp, Calvin College, MB
2008 Division III AVCA Player of the Year: Announced Nov. 19, 2008
2008 AVCA DIVISION III HONORABLE MENTION ALL-AMERICA
Kayla Anders (Ramapo, MB, Fr.)
Kate Anderson (Williams, RS/Opp., So.)
Nicole Ballon-Landa (Williams, RS/Opp., So.)
Helena Bottemiller (Claremont-Mudd Scripps, MB, Sr.)
Terah Brown (McMurry, MB, So.)
Nicole Burns (Eastern, MB, So.)
Bridget Burtzel (Gustavus Adolphus, S, Sr.)
Sarah Byrne (Stevens, OH, So.)
Tara Christiansen (Simpson, S, Jr.)
Mallorie Clary (Nazareth, DS/Lib., Jr.)
Alice Cummings (Wellesley, OH, Jr.)
Lindsey Denman (Puget Sound, OH, Jr.)
Rachel Downes (Salisbury, OH, Jr.)
Jessica Duff (Wellesley, OH, Sr.)
Erica Duncan (Skidmore, OH, Sr.)
Jenny Dziubla (Loras, S, Sr.)
Katie Ewing (St. Mary's [Md.], RS/Opp., Jr.)
Dena Feiger (Tufts, S, Jr.)
Jill Felger (Chapman, MB, Sr.)
Alyssa Fitchette (SUNY-Brockport, MB, Sr.)
Floriana Garo (CCNY, OH, Jr.)
Michelle Gaufman (SUNY-Cortland, OH, Sr.)
Kim Gillhespy (Alma, MB, Sr.)
Natalie Goldstein (Tufts, DS/Lib., Sr.)
Nicole Gurr (Coast Guard, MB, Sr.)
Emily Haese (Wisconsin-Eau Claire, S, Sr.)
Emily Hagan (Illinois Wesleyan, MB, Jr.)
Jane Handel (Middlebury, OH, Fr.)
Brittney Horton (SUNY-Cortland, S, Sr.)
Emily Hurlburt (Heidelberg, MB, Sr.)
Aylene Ilkson (Springfield, OH, Sr.)
Kyleigh Irish (Texas-Dallas, OH, Jr.)
Audra Janak (Washington-St. Louis, S. Sr.)
Dawson Joyce-Mendive (Tufts, OH, So.)
Erin Kasson (Washington-St. Louis, MB, Fr.)
Emily Klein (Gustavus Adolphus DS/Lib., Sr.)
Steph Koth (Northwestern, Oh, Jr.)
Beth Kozak (Juniata, S, Sr.)
Stacey Krebs (Salisbury, OH, Sr.)
Kayla Leyden (Benedictine, OH, Sr.)
Samantha Lingamfelter (Southwestern, DS/Lib., Jr.)
Heather Lively (Springfield, OH, So.)
Gabby Long (Salisbury, DS/Lib., Jr.)
Linda Ly (Chapman, DS/Lib., Jr.)
Morgan Magers (Heidelberg, S, Jr.)
Melissa Mahnke (Mount Union, OH, Jr.)
Ali Malesick (Salisbury, MB, So.)
Michele Malinowski (Illinois Wesleyan, OH, Sr.)
Alex May (MIT, OH, Jr.)
Veronica Mynders (Union [NY], DS/Lib., Jr.)
Audrey O'Donnell (Richard Stockton, MB, Sr.)
Caitlin O'Hara (Elmhurst, MB, Jr.)
Drewann Pancratz (Carthage, S, Fr.)
Kelly Paris (Cal State-East Bay, RS/Opp., Sr.)
Ruchi Patel (Pomona-Pitzer, DS/Lib., Sr.)
Brittanie Paulus (Lakeland, OH, Jr.)
Emily Peters (Wellesley, DS/Lib., Jr.)
Katie Playko (Mount St. Joseph, S, Sr.)
Melissa Rhode (Stevens, S, Sr.)
KateLynn Riley (Wooster, MB, Jr.)
Abby Scheel (Concordia, MB, Sr.)
Kelsey Scheele (Wisconsin-River Falls, OH, Jr.)
Amber Schoonover (Wisconsin-La Cross, OH, Sr.)
Nora Slenk (Hope, OH, Sr.)
Joelle Snyder (Lebanon Valley, OH, So.)
Jessica Stetler (Texas Lutheran, OH, So.)
Lindsey Thompson (Southwestern, MB, Fr.)
Jessica Ulrich (Washington & Lee, RS/Opp., Sr.)
Kara VandeGuchte (Hope, MB, So.)
Melanie Volk (Stevens, OH, Sr.)
Emily Vuylsteke (Linfield, MB, Jr.)
Allie Wolfe (Christopher Newport, OH, Sr.)
Rachel Yorke (Amherst, DS/Lib., So.)
Kate Zwickl (Nazareth, S, Jr.)
2008 AVCA Division III First-Team All-America
Christina Cahoon, a 5-4 libero for University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, is a sophomore from Watertown, Wis. Cahoon, a First-Team All-WIAC selection and member of the WIAC All-Defensive Team, helped lead the Titans to their first WIAC Tournament Championship since 1994 as well as the NCAA Division III Midwest Region title. The WIAC's digs leader, Cahoon is a first time AVCA All-American.
Brianna Gonzales, a 5-10 outside hitter for University of La Verne, is a senior from Whittier Calif. The two-time SCIAC Player of the Year, Gonzales helped the Leopards to their ninth straight conference title and fourth NCAA Division III West Region title. Gonzales has now earned AVCA First-Team All American honors for two consecutive years.
Dani Huffman, a 5-11 middle blocker for Emory University, is a senior from San Diego, Calif. An All-UAA first-team selection for the second consecutive year, Huffman helped lead the Eagles to a 32-6 overall record, a second place conference finish and the NCAA Division III South Regional title. Among the nation's leaders in hitting percentage, Huffman is a first-time AVCA All-American.
Crista Jones, a 5-10 middle blocker for University of La Verne, is a junior from Fresno, Calif. Jones, a 2008 first-team All-SCIAC selection, helped La Verne achieve its current 28-game winning streak in the SCIAC, which is second only to the 56-match win streak the team set between 2001 and 2005. Leading the Leopards with 34 aces and 80 total blocks, this is Jones' first AVCA All-America selection.
Rebecca Kamp, a 6-1 middle blocker for Calvin College, is a freshman from Palos Heights, Ill. The 2008 MIAA Most Valuable Player, Freshman of the Year and First-Team All-MIAA selection, Kamp helped lead the Knights into the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional Tournament. Ranked second nationally in kills per set and in the top five in hitting percentage, Kamp is a first-time AVCA All-American.
Katie McCaffrey, a 6-0 middle blocker for University of St. Thomas, is a senior from Ft. Collins, Colo. The 2008 MIAC Player of the Year and two-time All-MIAC selection, McCaffrey among the nation's leaders in blocks per set and leads the MIAC in hitting percentage and kills per set. After helping lead her team a first-place conference finish and into the NCAA Division III Central Regional Tournament, McCaffrey is picking up her second consecutive AVCA All-America award.
Alysse Meyer, a 6-0 outside hitter for Emory University, is a junior from Stockton, Calif. An All-UAA first-team selection, Meyer led the Eagles in kills and kills per set, is second in aces and helped guide the team a spot in this weekend's NCAA Division III quarterfinals. This is the second time Meyer has earned AVCA All-America honors, having been named to the Third-Team in 2006.
Nikki Morrison, a 5-11 right side/opposite for Washington University-St. Louis, is a senior from Lincoln, Neb. After leading the Bears to the UAA Tournament title, Morrison was named the conference's Most Valuable Player and also earned a nod on the All-UAA first-team. Morrison, who eclipsed 1,000 career kills earlier this season, is a three-time AVCA All-American, having earned First-Team honors for the second-consecutive year and Third-Team honors in 2006.
Jackie Randolph, a 5-10 outside hitter for California State University-East Bay, is a senior from Alameda, Calif. Randolph, who is ranked in the top-ten nationally in kills per game, helped lead the Pioneers to their 13th-straight 20-plus win season and 11th consecutive NCAA Division III West Regional Tournament appearance. Randolph is receiving her first AVCA All-American award.
Liz Schnelle, a 5-11 middle blocker for Ohio Northern University, is a junior from New Breman, Ohio. The OAC's Co-Player of the Year and First-Team OAC selection is ranked second nationally in hitting percentage and in the top-10 in kills per set. Having helped her team to a conference championship and the NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional title, Schnelle has landed her second AVCA All-America nod, earning Third-Team honors in 2007.
Brianne Stankus, a 5-10 right side/opposite for University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, is a junior from Burlington, Wis. Stankus, who earned her second straight First-Team All-WIAC award, helped lead the Eagles to the semifinals of the NCAA Central Region tournament. Ranked in the WIAC's top-10 in hitting percentage, kills per game and aces, Stankus earns her first AVCA All-America award.
Rachel Swoboda, a 5-9 right side/opposite for Carthage College, is a sophomore from Wrightstown, Wis. A two-time All-CCIW selection, Swoboda guided the Redmen to a first-place conference finish with an undefeated league record. Swoboda, who led Carthage to the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional final, is receiving the AVCA All-America award for the first time
Amber Thomas, a 5-10 outside hitter for Juniata College, is a senior from Ephrata, Pa. The two-time Landmark Conference Player of the Year led the Eagles to a first place conference finish, the NCAA Division III Mid-Atlantic Regional title and into the NCAA Division III quarterfinals. Thomas is receiving her fourth AVCA All-America award, having also earned First-Team honors in 2006 and 2007, and Second-Team laurels in 2005.
Katie Weininger, a 5-6 setter for Ohio Northern University, is a senior from Sycamore, Ohio. Weininger, who shares the 2008 OAC Player of the Year award with her teammate Liz Schnelle, was also named to the All-OAC first-team for the second consecutive year after helping guide her team to a conference championship and into the NCAA Division III quarterfinals. One of the nation's leaders in assists per game, Weininger is earning her first AVCA All-America award.
2008 AVCA Division III Second-Team All-America
Alli Alberts, a 5-9 outside hitter for Washington University-St. Louis, is a senior from Smithton, Ill. Alberts' all-around play was instrumental in helping the Bears to the University Athletic Association Tournament Championship, and the NCAA round of 16. Alberts, a UAA first-team selection, is a first-time AVCA All-American honoree.
Lindsey Benson, a 5-6 setter for California Lutheran University, is a senior from Woodland Hills, Calif. Benson led her squad to one of the nation's top hitting percentages in 2008, while leading the SCIAC in assists per set. Benson is a first-time AVCA All-American.
Liz Bush, a 6-1 right side/opposite for Christopher Newport University, is a senior from Springfield, Va. This versatile player helped the Captains to 33 wins in 2008, the most in the school's history. Bush is the first AVCA All-American in Christopher Newport's history.
Lisa Drennan, a 6-0 outside hitter for Wesleyan University, is a senior from Ann Arbor, Mich. Drennan ranked in the top five in the country in kills per set this season, a category where she has been in the top five for each of the past three seasons. The NESCAC Player of the Year earns the first AVCA All-America award in the school's history.
Emily Foster, a 5-10 setter for University of St. Thomas, is a sophomore from Hopkins, Minn. Foster leads the nation in assists per set this season, and led her team to one of the leading hitting percentages in the country. Foster, an all-conference honoree, is a first-time AVCA All-American.
Abby Freiborg, a 5-8 outside hitter for University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, is a senior from Sacred Heart, Minn. The team leader in kills, digs and service aces led her team to a share of the WIAC regular season championship in 2008. The WIAC Player of the Year is being honored as an AVCA All-American for the first time.
Emma Jaynes, a 5-10 outside hitter for College of St. Benedict, is a junior from Hibbing, Minn. Jaynes' all-around game, averaging over three kills and three digs per set, has helped lead the Blazers to the round of eight for the first time since 1993. Jaynes is a first-time AVCA All-America honoree.
Allison Kerr, a 5-11 middle blocker for California Lutheran University, is a sophomore from Wildwood, Mo. Kerr led her conference and was among the nation's leaders in hitting percentage, while ranking near the top of the conference in aces and kills per set. Kerr earns her first AVCA All-America award.
Katie Lundgren, a 5-9 libero for Carthage College, is a junior from Hawthorn Woods, Ill. Lundgren averaged over five digs per set in helping the Lady Reds to within one set of the NCAA Championships. Lundgren is making her first AVCA All-America appearance.
Courtney Reinhold, a 5-7 outside hitter for Eastern University, is a freshman from Adamstown, Pa. Reinhold ranked among the nation's leaders in kills per set, but was great on both sides of the ball. Reinhold is making her first appearance on an AVCA All-America team.
Natalie Schonefeld, a 5-7 setter for Emory University, is a freshman from Louisville, Ky. Schonefeld ranks in the top 10 nationally in assists per game, while leading the Eagles to one of the nation's best hitting percentages, as well as a trip to the NCAA round of eight. Schonefeld is a first-time AVCA All-American.
Megan Sollenberger, a 5-5 libero for Juniata College, is a junior from Mechanicsburg, Pa. She tallied over 600 digs this season, while leading the Eagles in service aces. Sollenberger is a two-time AVCA All-American, having garnered Third-Team honors in 2007.
Steph Strauss, a 5-11 setter for Juniata College, is a sophomore from Penn Hills, Pa. Strauss has led the Eagles to one of the top 10 hitting percentages in the country, while helping lead her team to the round of eight for its 28th consecutive season. Strauss is a first-time AVCA All-American.
Jackie Williams, a 6-1 right side/opposite for Wittenberg University, is a senior from Rocky River, Ohio. Williams ranked among the nation's leaders in hit percentage, and finishes her career with the Tigers as the school's all-time career leader in that category. Now a two-time AVCA All-American, Williams earned Second-Team honors a year ago as well.
2008 AVCA Division III Third-Team All-America
Erin Albers, a 6-2 middle blocker from Washington University-St. Louis, is a junior from Bellville, Ill. A First-Team All-University Athletic Association honoree, Albers' efficient attack and presence at the net keyed the Bears to the 2008 UAA Tournament Championship and a spot in the NCAA round of 16. Albers is a first-time AVCA All-American.
Abby Bade, a 5-7 outside hitter from Nebraska Wesleyan University, is a senior from Lincoln, Neb. An all-around performer for NWU, Bade's 3.14 kills per set led the Prairie Wolves to a 20-win campaign and the NCAA Tournament round of 16. Bade is a first-time AVCA All-American.
Anna Clithero, a 5-11outside hitter from Colorado College, is a senior from West Linn, Ore. The First-Team All-SCAC performer, Clithero became the only player in school history to record both 1,500 kills and digs, while leading the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament Second Round. Clithero is a first-time AVCA All-American.
Lauren Dinsdale, a 5-6 libero from Skidmore College, is a junior from Harrington Park, N.J. A two-time First-Team All-Liberty League honoree for the Thoroughbreds, Dinsdale is amongst the nation's leaders in digs per set. Dinsdale is being honored as an AVCA All-American for the first time.
Ali Drushal, a 5-4 libero from The College of Wooster, is a senior from Lakeville, Ohio. Ranked among the nation's leaders in digs per set, Drushal is a three-time NCAC Libero of the Year and became one of only 10 athletes of any division to record 3,000 career digs. Drushal, a team captain for the Scots, is a first-time AVCA All-American.
Audra Gentry, a 5-7 outside hitter from Southwestern University (Texas), is a junior from Albuquerque, New Mexico. The SCAC Player of the Year, Gentry's all-around abilities led the Pirates to a 30-win season and the NCAA South Region final. This marks Gentry's first AVCA All-American honor.
Jamie Grauvogel, a 6-1 outside hitter from the College of Mount St. Joseph, is a sophomore from Cleves, Ohio. A member of the HCAC first-team, Grauvogel's presence on the court helped lead the Lions to an HCAC Championship, where she earned tournament MVP honors, and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. Grauvogel is a first-time AVCA All-American.
Beth Hanna, a 6-0 middle blocker from Pacific Lutheran University, is a sophomore from Clackamas, Ore. The NWC Player of the Year, Hanna averaged nearly four kills and four digs per set in leading the Lutes to the NCAA Tournament. Hanna, the 2007 AVCA Freshman of the Year, is now a two-time AVCA All-American.
Maria Horning, a 5-8 setter from Eastern University, is a freshman from Denver, Pa. In her just her first collegiate season, she guided the Eagles to a program best 35-2 record and Freedom Conference Championship, en route to garnering Freedom Player of the Year accolades. Among the nation's best in assists per set and team attack percentage, Horning is a first-time AVCA All-American.
Caroline Keener, a 5-8 setter from Trinity University (Texas), is a senior from Plano, Texas. A First-Team All-SCAC selection, Keener helped propel the Tigers to their 11th consecutive SCAC Tournament title and an appearance in the NCAA round of 16. Keener is a two-time AVCA All-American, also garnering Second-Team honors in 2007.
Kaela Parnell, a 5-11 middle blocker from Hardin-Simmons University, is a junior from Carrolton, Texas. Ranked among the nation's best in hitting percentage, Parnell earned a nod on the American Southwest Conference first-team and led the team to a 20-win season. Parnell the first AVCA All-American in Hardin-Simmons' history.
Jacque Ray, a 5-11 middle blocker from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, is a junior from Richland Center, Wis. A major presence at the net for the Titans, Ray is a First-Team All-WIAC selection in 2008 after helping her UW-Oshkosh team to a 40-win campaign, as well as WIAC and NCAA Midwest Region championships. Ray is a first-time AVCA All-American.
Katelynn Reed, a 5-11 middle blocker from Nazareth College, is a senior from Horseheads, N.Y. Ranked in the top-three nationally in hitting percentage, Reed secured a spot on the Empire 8 first-team and helped the Golden Flyers to a conference runner-up finish. This marks the first time Reed has been honored as an AVCA All-American.
Rebecca Salvo, a 5-10 outside hitter from Haverford College, is a junior from La Canada, Calif. An all-around player for the Fords, Salvo received Centennial Conference Player of the Year honors after helping her team to a conference title and another 20-win season. Salvo is now a two-time AVCA All-American, also earning Second-Team accolades in 2007.
