Volleyball's Browning & Bober Named To AVCA's All-Region Team

OMAHA, Neb. -- Creighton Volleyball's Megan Bober and Kelli Browning have been named to the 2012 AVCA All-Central Region First Team. This marks the first time that Creighton has had two women named All-Region in the same season.

A senior from Murdock, Neb., Bober is the first player in program history to earn All-Region honors twice (also 2010). She was named MVC Player of the Year after averaging 9.69 assists, 2.99 digs, 1.93 kills and 1.00 blocks per set. She owned six triple-doubles and set a school-record with 24 double-doubles on the fall. Bober is the nation's only player to average at least 9.6 assists, 2.9 digs and 1.00 blocks per set this season, and she wraps up her career ranked first in matches played (128), matches started (128), consecutive matches started (128) and sets played (480), second in assists (4,359) and block assists (380), fourth in total blocks (422), fifth in assists per set (9.08), sixth in aces (86), seventh in hitting percentage (.260) and points (1151.0), eighth in digs (1,123) and block solos (42). Bober is one of three players in Creighton history to earn three First Team All-MVC honors.

Browning was named MVC Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-MVC after averaging 2.82 kills and 1.65 blocks per set. Her 189 block assists established an MVC single-season record, and her 204 total blocks and .370 hitting percentage also set Creighton single-season marks. The sophomore middle blocker from Waukesha, Wis., had five different matches of 10 or more blocks, and tied a league mark with 15 block assists on Sept. 8 vs. Tulsa. She will enter 2013 as Creighton's all-time leader in career hitting percentage (.340) and blocks per set (1.35).

Creighton wrapped up its best season in program history last Saturday, finishing 29-4. The Bluejays won their first MVC regular-season and tournament titles in program history, while also earning its first national ranking in program history.

Prior to this fall, the only previous All-Region honorees had been Bober (2010), Jessica Houts (2008) and Kelly Goc (2007).

All-America honors will be announced next week.

2012 AVCA Division I All-Region Teams

Central Region

Name	School	Position	Year
Emily Adney	Wichita State University	OH	SR
Khat Bell	University of Texas	MB	SO
Megan Bober**	Creighton University	S	SR
Kelli Browning	Creighton University	MB	SO
Haley Eckerman**	University of Texas	OH	SO
Chelsey Feekin	Wichita State University	S	JR
Kristen Hahn	Iowa State University	L/DS	JR
Caroline Jarmoc	University of Kansas	MB	RS SR
Brynn Joki	North Dakota State University	OH	SR
Alison Landwehr**	Iowa State University	S	SR
Sallie McLaurin	University of Oklahoma	MB	JR
Sha'Dare McNeal	University of Texas	OPP	SR
Kaitlynn Pelger**	Kansas State University	MB	JR
Bailey Webster**	University of Texas	OH	JR

Region Freshman of the Year: Mackenzie Bigbee, OPP, Iowa State

Honorable Mention:

Name	School	Position	Year
Megan Lambertson	North Dakota State University	MB	SR
Tessa McGill	IPFW	L/DS	SR
Krista DeGeest	University of Northern Iowa	MB	SR
Victoria Hurtt	Iowa State University	OH	SO
Caitlyn Donahue	Kansas State University	S	SR
Jamie Straube	Iowa State University	MB	SR

East Region

Name School Position Year

Sandra Adeleye**** Clemson University MB Senior

Kelly Bacon Northeastern University OH Junior

Megan Cyr North Carolina State University Setter Senior

Sareea Freeman Florida State University MB Senior

Alex Johnson University of Miami RS Junior

Ali McCurdy** Duke University Libero Junior

Emily McGee** University of North Carolina OH Senior

Monique Mead*** Georgia Tech RS Senior

Alexis Mourning University of Miami MB Sophmore

Ashley Neff** Florida State University MB Junior

Paige Neuenfeldt University of North Carolina MB Freshman

Emani Sims University of Miami MB Sophmore

Nrithya Sundararaman University of Miami Setter Senior

Fatma Yildirim Florida State University OH Senior

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

Honorable Mention:

Name School Position Year

Cara Baarendse Virginia Tech MB Senior

Ashleigh Crutcher University of Maryland OH Sophmore

Caroline Douglas Liberty University OH RS Freshman

I'ishah Keliikoa Towson University MB Senior

Chaniel Nelson University of North Carolina RS Sophmore

Ryan Shaffer University of Miami Libero Junior

Mideast Region

Name	School	Position	Year
Lauren Cook	University of Nebraska	S	SR
Jennifer Cross	University of Michigan	MB	JR
Tori Dixon**	University of Minnesota	MB	JR
Micha Hancock	Penn State University	S	SO
Katherine Harms	University of Minnesota	OPP	SR
Mari Hole**	Ohio State University	OH	SR
Stephanie Holthus	Northwestern University	OH	JR
Gina Mancuso**	University of Nebraska	OH	SR
Deja McClendon***	Penn State University	OH	JR
Ariel Scott**	Penn State University	OPP	JR
Katie Slay**	Penn State University	MB	JR
Ariel Turner**	Purdue University	OH	SR
Hannah Werth**	University of Nebraska	OH	SR
Lauren Wicinski***	Michigan State University	OH	JR

Region Freshman of the Year: Megan Courtney, Penn State, OH

Honorable Mention:

Name	School	Position	Year
Megan Courtney	Penn State University	OH	FR
Emily Danks	Ohio State University	OPP	SR
Lexi Erwin	University of Michigan	OH	JR
Meghan Haggerty	University of Nebraska	MB	FR
Kori Moster	Michigan State University	L	SO
Ashley Wittman	University of Minnesota	OH	JR

Midwest Region

Name	School	Position	Year
Jessica Adams**	University of Tulsa	L	SR
Nancy Cole***	Rice University	MB	SR
Marie Frease	Cleveland State University	MB	SR
Brittany Groth	University of Wisconsin-Green Bay	L	SR
Tyler Henderson****	University of Tulsa	OH	SR
Xitlali Herrera	University of Texas-El Paso	MB	JR
Jeane Horton	University of Texas-El Paso	OH	JR
Kara Koch	Cleveland State University	OH	SR
Megan Murphy**	Rice University	S	JR
Ellie Roberson	Morehead State University	RS	SR
Taylor Root***	Valparaiso University	L	SR
DeLaina Sarden	University of Central Florida	MB	SO
Sam Serley***	University of Alabama at Birmingham	MB	SR
Caroline Young	Southern Methodist University	RS	SO

Region Freshman of the Year: N/A

Honorable Mention:

Laura Der	Marshall University	OH	JR
Kasey Elswick	University of Tennessee-Martin	L	SR
Jillian Humphrey	Rice University	MB	SO
MaryKate Imrie	University of Illinois-Chicago	S	JR
Courtney Manning	Southern Methodist University	MB	SR
Ellen Vanden Berg	Valparaiso University	MB	JR

Northeast Region

Name	School	Position	Year
Toni Alugbue	University of Notre Dame	OH	SO
Lola Arslanbekova****	University of Louisville	OH	SR
Megan Campbell**	University of Dayton	MB	JR
Danielle Carlson**	Marquette University	MB	SR
Jeni Houson	University of Notre Dame	RS	SO
Elizabeth Koberstein	Marquette University	S	JR
Rachel Krabacher**	University of Dayton	OH	SR
Holly Mertens	Marquette University	RS	SR
Kendall Polan**	Yale University	S/H	JR
Gwen Rucker**	University of Louisville	MB	SR
Martina Samadan	Virginia Commonwealth University	MB	FR
Jordanne Scott**	University of Cincinnati	OH	SR
Samantha Selsky**	University of Dayton	S	SR
Caitlin Welch	University of Louisville	L/DS	JR

Region Freshman of the Year: Martina Samadan, VCU, MB

Honorable Mention

Name	School	Position	Year
Kelly Johnson	Yale University	S/H	FR
Arielle Love	Duquesne University	MB	SO
Ariana Mankus	US Military Academy	OH	SR
Karin Palgutova	St. John's University	OH	FR
Dani Shepherd	University of Pennsylvania	L/DS	JR
Stephanie Vorherr	Xavier University	L/DS	SR

Pacific Region

Name School Position Year

Inky Ajanaku Stanford University MB Fr.

Alaina Bergsma** University of Oregon OH Sr

Liz Brenner University of Oregon OH Soph.

Samantha Bricio University of Southern California OH Fr.

Katie Fuller University of Southern California OPP Sr

Natalie Hagglund** University of Southern California Libero Jr.

Jennifer Hamson** Brigham Young University OPP Jr.

Tabi Love UCLA OH Jr.

Jazmine Orozco Pepperdine University OH Jr.

Lauren Plum University of Oregon Setter Jr.

Krista Vansant University of Washington OH Soph.

Nicole Warner Brigham Young University MB Sr

Kellie Woolever Pepperdine University Setter Jr.

Carly Wopat** Stanford University MB Jr.

Region Freshman of the Year: Samantha Bricio, USC, OH

Honorable Mention:

Name	School	Position	Year
Haley Jacob	University of Oregon	Libero	Sr
Katie Hoekman	University of San Diego	MB	Jr.
Heather Hannemann	Brigham Young University	Setter	Sr
Rachael Kidder	UCLA	OH	Sr
Alexa Gray	Brigham Young University	OH	Fr.
Kylin Munoz	University of Washington	OPP	Sr

South Region

Name	School	Position	Year
Roslandy Acosta	University of Arkansas	OH	Sr
Whitney Billings**	University of Kentucky	RS	Jr
Taylor Brauneis	University of Florida	S	Jr
Darcy Dorton	College of Charleston	OH	Jr
Lisa Henning	University of Missouri	RS	Jr
Alisia Kastmo	Texas A&M University	RS	Sr
Stephanie Klefot**	University of Kentucky	L	Sr
Chloe Mann	University of Florida	MB	Jr
Jasmine Norton	University of Arkansas	OH	Sr
Ziva Recek	University of Florida	OH	Fr
Kelsey Robinson**	University of Tennessee	OH	Jr
Jordyn Skinner**	Western Kentucky University	OH	Sr
Melanie Stutsman***	Western Kentucky University	S	Jr
Tangerine Wiggs	University of Florida	RS	Sr

Region Freshman of the Year: Ziva Recek, Florida, OH

Honorable Mention:

Name	School	Position	Year
Megan Devine	East Tennessee State University	OH	Jr
Christine Hartmann	University of Kentucky	S	Sr
Lindsey Miller	Texas A&M University	MB	Sr
Ellen Mullins	University of Tennessee	L	Jr
Allie Sawatzky	Texas A&M University	S	Jr
Kate Van Dyke	Georgia Southern University	S	Sr

West Region

Name	School	Position	Year
McKenzie Adams	University of Texas-San Antonio	OH	JR
Dana Cranston	Colorado State University	OH	SR
Johnna Fouch	San Diego State University	S	JR
Andrea Hannasch**	San Diego State University	MB	SR
Liz Harden	Boise State University	RS	SR
Emily Hartong**	University of Hawaii	OH	JR
Casey Hinger	CSU-Northridge	MB	SO
Kayla Neto	CSU-Fullerton	OH	SR
Chisom Okpala	Long Beach State University	MB	SO
Megan Plourde****	Colorado State University	MB	SR
Jodi Purdy**	University of Wyoming	OH	SR
Chantale Riddle	University of New Mexico	RS	SO
Mita Uiato	University of Hawai'i	S	JR
Kristin Winkler	UC Irvine	L	SR

Region Freshman of the Year: Taylor Formico, UC Santa Barbara, L

Honorable Mention:

Name	School	Position	Year
Taylor Formico	UC Santa Barbara	L	FR
Meredith Hays	New Mexico State University	OH	SO
Janisa Johnson	Long Beach State University	OH	SR
Brieon Paige	Colorado State University	MB	SR
Tara Roenicke	Long Beach State University	S	JR
Shay Sorensen	Utah State University	RS	SR

2012 AVCA Division I Region Coaches of the Year

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The following coaches have been selected by their region as the 2012 AVCA Division I Region Coach of the Year. Each of the 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, Kentucky on Thursday, Dec. 13, at the 2012 American Volleyball Coaches Association Annual Convention.

AVCA Division I Mideast Region Coach of the Year

Russ Rose, Penn State
2012 Record: 31-2, 19-1 Big Ten

In his 34th season at the helm for the Penn State Nittany Lions, Russ Rose led his team to a 29-2 regular season record and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. This season, the team captured its ninth conference title in the last 10 years. He owns a career record of 1,087-174 and has coached the Nittany Lions to a 388-52 record in the Big Ten. His winning percentage is one of the highest in collegiate volleyball history. Under his guidance, seven members of the Nittany Lions were recognized with Big Ten postseason awards, including the inaugural Big Ten Setter of the Year winner, Micha Hancock. Penn State once again dominated in conference play, winning 24 of its last 26 sets. Both of their losses came in hard-fought five-set battles (vs. Oregon State and at Nebraska). They ended the season on an eight-match winning streak and posted a perfect 15-0 mark on their home floor. Rose is an AVCA Hall of Fame member and has a laundry list of volleyball accolades to his name, including previously being recognized as the AVCA Division I National Coach of the Year and winning multiple AVCA Mideast Region Coach of the Year awards.

AVCA Division I West Region Coach of the Year

Dave Shoji, University of Hawai'i
2012 Record: 27-3, 18-0 Big West

Dave Shoji capped off his 38^th season at the helm of the University of Hawai'i volleyball program with a Big West Conference Championship, running the table with a perfect 18-0 conference record. Shoji's Rainbow Wahine squad is loaded with talent, and Emily Hartong was recognized as the Big West Player of the Year. In addition to Hartong, three other Hawai'i players were tabbed with All-Big West First Team honors. Shoji took home the Big West co-Coach of the Year award, his twelfth such honor. The Rainbow Wahine were ousted from the NCAA Tournament, but not after making their 31^st consecutive appearance under Shoji. Shoji claimed his 1,100^th victory earlier this season, a 3-0 sweep of UC Davis on Saturday, November 17. A highly respected coach, Shoji is a member of the Hawai'i Sports Hall of Fame. He is a member of the AVCA Hall of Fame and a 10-time AVCA Region Coach of the Year winner. In addition, Shoji was recognized as the National Coach of the Year in both 1982 and 2009.

AVCA Division I South Region Coach of the Year

Travis Hudson, Western Kentucky University
2012 Record: 33-4, 15-0 Sun Belt Conference

Hudson, who has led WKU to eight Sun Belt Conference East Division Championships, is in his 18^th season as head coach of Western Kentucky University. The 2011 season was the first year that WKU broke into the AVCA Top-25 Poll, and this year they became a main-stay in the top-25 rankings. The Lady Toppers were undefeated in their conference, and finished as Sun Belt Conference Champions. This season's win over Loyola Marymount marked WKU's first NCAA Tournament win in school history. There were plenty of post-season honors to go around, as six Lady Toppers players were recognized on the 2012 All-Conference team and Melanie Stutsman and Jordyn Skimmer were recognized to the AVCA All-Region team. Hudson leads active Sun Belt Coaches with 198 conference wins, the most wins by a WKU head coach. Hudson was previously recognized as Region coach of the year in 2002 and 2005, making this his third South Region Coach of the Year award.

AVCA Division I Pacific Region Coach of the Year

Shawn Olmstead, BYU
2012 Record: 28-3, 13-3 West Coast Conference

In his second season as BYU's head coach, Olmstead led the Cougars to a 28-win season. They were No. 1 in the WCC standings and currently hold a No. 16 ranking in the latest AVCA Top 25 Poll, where they were ranked as high as 11^th during the season. The team is the No. 12 seed in the NCAA tournament and has advanced to the Sweet-16. In his 2011 season, his first as head coach, Olmstead coached three All-Conference honorees, one All-Region accolade, and one AVCA All-American in their first plus-20 win season since 2007. Player Jennifer Hamson was the WCC player of the year and Nicole Warner was WCC Defensive Player of the year. Olmstead played as a libero for BYU's men's team, leading them to National Championship titles in 2001, 2004, and runner up in 2003. This is Olmstead's first AVCA Region Coach of the Year recognition.

AVCA Division I Northeast Region Coach of the Year

Anne Kordes, University of Louisville
2012 Record: 30-4, 14-1 Big East Conference

2012 was Anne Kordes's second season as the head coach of her alma mater, Louisville, after seven seasons at St. Louis. Under Kordes' leadership, The Cardinals won 30 games during the 2012 season, losing only four total matches and suffering just one conference loss. They finished first in Big East standings, and ranked as high as ninth in the AVCA Top-25 Poll during the 2012 season. The team defeated Marquette 3-0 to capture the Big East Championship, marking the first time in program history Louisville won both the Big East Championship and regular season title in the same season. For their terrific year, the Cards were seeded 10th in the NCAA Tournament where they made it to the second round. Previously, she has coached nationally as the US Girls select A1 and National A2 Collegiate programs and has been an assistant for the Junior National Team. This is her second AVCA Region Coach of the Year honor.

AVCA Division I East Region Coach of the Year

Nicole Lantagne Welch, University of Miami (FL)
2012 Record: 25-6, 17-3 Atlantic Coast Conference

During Lantagne Welch's 12^th season as head coach of the Miami Hurricanes, she led her team to a successful 25-6 season with only three conference losses, finishing with 25 wins for the third time in five seasons. They were undefeated at home and finished the 2012 season second in the Atantic Coast Conference standings. The Hurricanes broke into the AVCA Top-25 poll for five weeks, ranking as high as 23^rd in the nation, and qualified for the NCAA tournament for the fourth consecutive year. Five different players were recognized as ACC Player of the Week throughout the season while four were named AVCA All-Region. Lantagne Welch became the first coach to lead the Hurricanes to the NCAA tournament in 2002. Lantagna Welch was honored as the 2012 ACC Coach of the Year, her second recognition. This is Lantagne Welch's second AVCA East Region Coach of the Year recognition, having previously received the honor in 2008.

AVCA Division I Midwest Region Coach of the Year

Jaime Gordon, Morehead State University
2012 Record: 26-7. 16-0 Ohio Valley Conference

This is Gordon's 11^th season as head coach of Morehead State Volleyball, who led the Eagles to a 26-7 finish. They were a perfect 16-0 in conference play, topping the Ohio Valley Conference standings for the season. Heading into the OVC Championship Match, MSU was leading the nation riding a 24-match winning streak. He coached Ellie Roberson to AVCA All-South Region honors, who ended her illustrious career with 1,521 kills, good for seventh in program history . Gordon has led MSU to three Ohio Valley Conference titles in the last four years. Hehas not only stressed the importance of play on the court, but how you act and treat others as well. MSU volleyball was named recipients of the OVC Team Sportsmanship Award in 2010 and 2011. Gordon led the Eagles to 19 OVC conference wins and the Eagle's first-ever NCAA Volleyball Tournament in 2011. As a student, he played for the Kentucky men's club volleyball team, and was selected as an alternate to the 1994 U.S. Olympic Festival Team. This is Gordon's first AVCA Midwest Region Coach of the Year recognition.

AVCA Division I Central Region Coach of the Year

Ray Bechard, University of Kansas
2012 Record: 26-7, 12-4 Big-12 Conference

The 2012 season is Bechard's 15th year as head coach of Kansas volleyball. During his tenure, he has become the winningest coach in Kansas volleyball history, with 10 of those seasons finishing above the .500 mark. Bechard led the Jayhawks to four NCAA Tournament appearances in 2003, 2004, 2005, and this season, where they advanced to the second round. They finished the year the winningest team in program history (.765), earned a program-best sixth RPI ranking, and had its highest Big 12 Conference finish placing third. Player Caroline Jarmoc was named to the 2012 AVCA All-Central Region Team and junior libero Brianne Riley broke KU's career digs record with 1,459 in their match against Texas Tech. Another record was set this season, which marked the most regular-season home wins in Kansas history. In the 2011 season, Coach Bechard reached his 900th career win and his 200th win at Kansas. This is Coach Bechard's first AVCA Central Region Coach of the Year honor.

Volleyball's Browning & Bober Named To AVCA's All-Region Team

Players Mentioned

Megan Bober

Kelli Browning

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