Dec. 6, 2005
COLUMBIA, Mo.--The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced their All-Region teams late Tuesday evening. Three Tigers, Lindsey Hunter, Jessica Vander Kooi, and Nicole Wilson, were named to the Central Region first-team, marking the first time a Mizzou squad had landed at least three on the list.
Hunter (Papillion, Neb.) was named to the All-Central Region squad for the third consecutive season. The Tiger senior has lead the Big 12 in assists per game in each of her four years at Mizzou, becoming the first Big 12 student-athlete to finish a season leading the same statistical category in every year of eligibility. Her 14.14 assists per game this season paced her to 13.70 for her career, likely putting her sixth all-time in NCAA history in the category.
Vander Kooi (Hinton, Iowa) has been selected to her first All-Region team after having one of the best all-around seasons an outside hitter can have. The 2003 AVCA Central Region Freshman of the Year is now averaging 3.50 kills per game on .274 hitting, adding 2.67 digs per game, 0.31 aces per game, and 1.00 blocks per game. Most notably, Vander Kooi was a driving force in the Tigers two-game-deficit comeback at then-No. 24 Kansas State on October 26th, scoring on three-consecutive blocks to seal the match for the Tigers and nearly scored a quadruple-double on the night, scoring on 14 kills, nine blocks, adding 21 digs and eight assists. Vander Kooi is also the only Tiger to score a 20-20 on the season, grabbing 23 kills and 22 digs at No. 1 Nebraska.
Wilson (Lincoln, Neb.) earned her first spot on an All-Region team with her outstanding middle-blocker play this season. Overall, Wilson had a .430 hitting percentage in 2005, which will break Mizzou's all-time season record and become one of the best 20 performances the nation has seen in the last five years. Her .430 hitting percentage for all games will also go down (more NCAA-Tournament play pending) as a new Big 12 record. Wilson, through the second-round of NCAA play, is third in the nation in hitting percentage. Wilson has also added 1.28 blocks per game this season.
The AVCA announces their All-America teams on Wednesday, December 14, with those student-athletes being honored on Friday, December 16 at the AVCA Convention in San Antonio in conjunction with the NCAA Volleyball Tournament Final Four.
The No. 8 Tigers will face No. 6 Hawaii in the regional semifinal of the NCAA Tournament on Friday at 3 p.m., central in State College, Pa. Television and radio coverage to be announced soon.
Central Region
Leticia Armstrong University of Texas MB So.
Melissa Elmer *** University of Nebraska MB Sr.
Allie Griffin ** University of Colorado RS/Opp Sr.
Christina Houghtelling University of Nebraska OH Jr.
Lindsey Hunter ** University of Missouri S Sr.
Laura Jones *** Texas A&M University OH Sr.
Brandy Magee University of Texas MB Jr.
Michelle Moriarty University of Texas S So.
Sarah Pavan ** University of Nebraska RS/Opp So.
Jennifer Saleaumua*** University of Nebraska OH Sr.
Jessica Vander Kooi University of Missouri OH Jr.
Nicole Wilson University of Missouri MB Jr.
(*) denotes number of years named to the AVCA Division I All-Region Team
Region Freshman of the Year: Jordan Larson, Nebraska, OH
Honorable Mention: Stephanie Figgers (Stephen F. Austin, DS/Lib, Jr.), Jordan Larson (Nebraska, OH, Fr.), Elizabeth Meyers (Wichita State, MB, Sr.), Ashley Nu'u (Colorado, S, Jr.), Darci Vohs (Wichita State, RS/Opp, Sr.), Ashley Warren (Missouri State, S, Sr.)