All-Region Teams | Region Coaches of the Year
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 Houser 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 38th 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 31st consecutive appearance under Shoji. Shoji claimed his 1,100th 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 18th 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 11th 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 12th 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 23rd 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 11th 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.
