Erin Deffenbaugh of Northern Colorado Named 2002 AVCA Division II Player of the Year

Deffenbaugh, a 5-10 junior outside hitter from Strasburg, Colo., has helped pace the second-ranked UNC Bears to the 2002 NCAA Division II Elite Eight Tournament. She leads all NCAA Division II players in kills per game this season with a 6.11 average while attacking at a .327 percentage. Deffenbaugh has added 3.79 digs per game on defense to showcase her all-around talent. She averaged 6.30 kills and 4.07 digs per game and hit .320 in 15 matches against nationally ranked opponents during the regular season.

“Erin Deffenbaugh is a player that is unstoppable wherever she is at on the court,” said Kim Sudbeck Marcil, head coach of Augustana College (S.D.) and chair of the AVCA Division II All-America committee. “She creates shots that are not often seen at the collegiate level and makes her presence known on the court. Along with the help of her teammates, Erin has given UNC an opportunity to win a national championship.”

Deffenbaugh, a two-time AVCA All-American, has earned the AVCA/Sports Imports Division II National Player of the Week three times this season, becoming the first player at any level to accomplish the feat. She has set UNC records this season for kills in a match (39), kills in a season (715) and career kills (1,880). Deffenbaugh earned a spot on the 2002 Verizon Academic All-District Second-Team.

The formal presentation of the award to the 2002 AVCA National Players of the Year will be made Dec. 20 in New Orleans at the AVCA All-America/Player of the Year banquet. The banquet, which will take place at the New Orleans Marriott Hotel, is held in conjunction with the 2002 AVCA National Convention and NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball National Championship.

AVCA Division II National Players of the Year
2001: Shauna Sturm, South Dakota State
2000: Kari Peterson, Augustana (S.D.)
1999: Sarah Butler, West Texas A&M
1998: Melinda Almazan, Regis
1997: Sarah Butler, West Texas A&M
1996: Liu Jun, Northern Michigan
1995: Liu Jun, Northern Michigan
1994: Christy Wieneke, Cal State-Bakersfield
1993: Stacey Metro, Northern Michigan
1992: Stacey Metro, Northern Michigan
1991: Ana Cristina Pereira, West Texas A&M
1990: Becky Belland, Central Missouri State
1989: Sheri Benson, UC Riverside
1988: Janet Cobbs, North Dakota State
1987: Angela Brinton, Cal State-Northridge
1986: Annie Kniss, UC Riverside
1985: Lynda Johnson, Portland State