2001 AVCA Division I All-America Teams

SAN DIEGO -- The American Volleyball Coaches Association will present the 21st annual All-America awards Friday at the AVCA All-America/Player of the Year banquet at the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina.

Nebraska senior Nancy Metcalf, Stanford junior Logan Tom and Long Beach State University senior Cheryl Weaver have earned their way onto the AVCA Division I First-Team All-America Team for the third time. Arizona senior Dana Burkholder, Colorado State senior Angela Knopf and Wisconsin senior Sherisa Livingston are repeat AVCA First-Team All-America selections from 2000. Other repeat selections include Nebraska junior Amber Holmquist, Nebraska junior Greichaly Cepero, Wisconsin senior Lizzy Fitzgerald and Pacific sophomore Jennifer Joines.

The selections are made by the AVCA Division I All-America Committee:  chair - Bonnie Kenny, Massachusetts; Judy Green, Alabama, Janice Kruger, Maryland, Kathy Litzau, Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Jeff Nelson, Texas Tech, Steve Schlick, Cal Poly; Patti Snyder-Park, Arizona State, Pete Waite, Wisconsin, and Sharon Dingman, Illinois State, AVCA Awards Chair.

^ Indicates 2000 AVCA First-Team All-America selection
+ Indicates 2000 AVCA Second-Team All-America selection
* Indicates 1999 AVCA First-Team All-America selection
& Indicates 1998 AVCA First-Team All-America selection

Aury Cruz, a sophomore from Levitown, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, is a 5-11 outside hitter for the seventh-ranked University of Florida Gators. She tallied 4.88 kills, 3.30 digs and 0.58 blocks per game in leading Florida to the NCAA Regional Finals. Aury was chosen Southeastern Conference Player of the Year and is a two-time AVCA All-Region selection. She was tabbed to the MVP of two regular season tournaments this year as a sophomore and was the only SEC player to earn the league's Player of the Week twice this year.

Dana Burkholder, a senior from Bakersfield, California, is a 5-8 setter for the  fourth-ranked University of Arizona Wildcats. The helped Arizona into this weekend's NCAA Tournament semifinals through her consistent setting. She averages 13.07 assists per game, along with 0.50 blocks and .249 digs. The Wildcats, at 25-4 this season, is attacking at a .301 hitting percentage. Individually, Dana attacked at a .360 clip with 1.55 kills per game. A Pac-10 All-Conference selection, Dana has earned MVP honors at three tournaments this season. She is Arizona's only player ever to earn three AVCA All-Region honors.

Tayyiba Haneef, a senior from Laguna Hills, California, is a 6-7 outside hitter for the top-ranked Long Beach State University 49ers. She played an integral role in the 49ers undefeated run into the NCAA Tournament and spot into this weekend's semifinals. Tayyiba averaged 4.94 kills, 2.29 digs and 0.70 blocks per game for the Beach. She produced a .402 hitting percentage in earning her third All-Big West First-Team honor. Tayyiba, a Verizon Academic All-District Second-Team pick, was named her NCAA Regional Tournament MVP.

Amber Holmquist, a junior from Houston, Texas, is a 6-4 middle blocker for the second-ranked University of Nebraska Cornhuskers. She was named All-Big 12 Conference First Team as she ranks third in the nation in blocks per game at 1.82. Amber chips in 2.57 kills and a .392 attack percentage on the offensive side. She is a two-time AVCA All-American after being named to the second team as a sophomore. Amber earned the AVCA/Sports Imports National Player of the Week on Sept. 10, and recently was named to the Verizon Academic All-District Second Team.

Angela Knopf, a senior from Troutdale, Oregon, is a 6-foot middle blocker for the ninth-ranked Colorado State University Rams. She paced the Rams to NCAA regional semifinals with an NCAA-leading .475 attack percentage. Angela charted per game averages of 4.14 kills, 1.45 blocks and 2.46 digs. She was tabbed the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year and a Verizon Academic All-America Second-Team pick. Angela is a two-time AVCA All-America pick following her selection to the first team in 2000.

Sherisa Livingston, a senior from Simi Valley, California, is a 6-2 middle blocker for the sixth-ranked University of Wisconsin Badgers. A two-time AVCA All-America, she paced the Badgers to a 27-4 record and spot in the NCAA Tournament Regional semifinals. Sherisa was a unanimous All-Big 10 selection and named to two all-tournament teams in 2001. She averaged 5.13 kills and 1.17 blocks for the Badgers, while attacking at a .402 percentage. Sherisa, who had a double-double with 22 kills and 10 blocks against USC, has not been held to under 13 kills this season in 31 matches.

Nancy Metcalf, a senior from Hull, Iowa, is a 6-1 right side/opposite hitter for the second-ranked University of Nebraska Cornhuskers. She was tabbed the Big 12 Player of the Year and is a three-time AVCA All-American. Nancy produced 4.28 kills, 3.09 digs, 1.06 blocks and 0.42 aces per game heading into yesterday's NCAA Tournament Semifinal match. She is one of two Cornhuskers to reach 1,400 kills and 375 blocks in a career. Nancy was named the Verizon Academic All-America of the Year as the best player balancing athletics and academics. She was selected MVP of the State Farm/NACWAA Tournament. Ladies and gentlemen, Nebraska's Nancy Metcalf

Jenna Moscovic, a senior from Stockton, California, is a 5-11 setter for the 15th ranked Texas A&M University Aggies. She led her team to the NCAA Regional Finals and an overall record of 26-6. Jenna produced a Division I best five triple-doubles this season. She contributed 12.93 assists, 0.72 blocks, 2.73 digs and 1.89 kills per game. The Aggies recorded a team hitting percentage of .252 behind her setting. Jenna, a first-team All-Big 12 and Big 12 All-Academic Team selection, earned her third AVCA All-Central Region honor this year.

Jill Talbot, a senior San Diego, is a 6-foot right side/opposite hitter for the fourth-ranked University of Arizona Wildcats. She currently leads the Pac-10 in hitting percentage at .426, in addition to supplying per game averages of 3.28 kills, 3.34 digs and 0.78 blocks. Against nationally ranked teams, she continues to dominate with similar numbers. A Pac-10 All-Conference selection, she has played an integral part in the Wildcats' first-ever NCAA semifinal appearance. Jill also was selected Verizon Academic All-District and earned two all-tournament honors in 2001. A four-year starter for Arizona, she has played each and every point as a senior.

Logan Tom, a junior from Salt Lake City, Utah, is a 6-1 outside hitter for third-ranked Stanford University. She is a three-time AVCA All-America First-Team selection and has led the 31-2 Cardinal into this weekend's semifinal round. Logan averages 4.95 kills, 0.88 blocks, 0.55 service aces and 3.49 digs per game, in addition to hitting .335 for the year. She earned Pac-10 Conference Player of the Week five times and the AVCA/Sports Imports National Player of the Week once this year. Logan is the only current collegiate player on the U.S. National Team.

Cheryl Weaver, a senior from Washington, D.C., is a 6-2 middle blocker for the top-ranked Long Beach State University 49ers. She has earned three consecutive AVCA All-America First-Team honors. Cheryl posted per game averages of 4.61 kills, 2.09 digs and 1.20 blocks per game while attacking at a .441 percentage. She was selected Big West Player of the Week five times in 2001 en route to being named Big West Player of the Year for the second time. Cheryl's contributions have helped the 49ers to an undefeated season heading into this weekend.

Kim Willoughby, a sophomore from Napoleonville, Louisiana, is a 6-foot outside hitter for the 11th ranked University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine. She was tabbed Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year in leading Hawai'i to a 29-6 overall record. Kim ended her 2001 campaign with 850 kills, the fourth most in NCAA history, and a 7.20 kill average. She posted nine matches with at least 30 kills, including two matches in excess of 41 kills. Kim, a two-time AVCA/Sports Imports National Player of the Week in 2001, added a .341 attack percentage, and 3.66 digs and 0.63 blocks per game on the defensive end.

Greichaly Cepero, a junior from Dorado, Puerto Rico, is a 6-2 setter for the second-ranked University of Nebraska Cornhuskers. She becomes a two-time AVCA All-American after being selected the 2000 AVCA National Player of the Year as a sophomore. Greichaly is a First-Team All-Big 12 selection and Verizon Academic All-America Third Team pick. She averages 12.38 assists, 1.30 blocks, 1.31 kills and 3.04 digs per game as a multi-faceted setter. The Cornhuskers are attacking at a .308 percentage for the season with one loss heading into the national semifinals.

Lizzy Fitzgerald, a senior from New Orleans, Louisiana, is a 6-foot setter for the sixth-ranked University of Wisconsin Badgers. She averaged 13.72 assists per game ranking fourth in NCAA Division I in leading Wisconsin to a 27-4 overall record and spot in the NCAA Tournament Regional Semifinals. Lizzy tossed in 0.89 blocks per game and led the Badgers to a .289 team attack percentage. She was named the Big 10 Conference Player of the Year and is now a two-time AVCA All-America. Lizzy was tabbed the AVCA/Sports Imports National Player of the Week on Sept. 4.

Stacey Gordon, a freshman from Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, is a 5-11 outside hitter for the 10th ranked Ohio State University Buckeyes. She helped OSU to a 27-4 record this year and spot in the NCAA Tournament Regional Semifinals. In her first collegiate season, Stacey averaged 4.75 kills per game and hit .301 for the year. She added 0.35 aces and 0.45 blocks per game. Stacey was tabbed Big Ten Freshman of the Year and AVCA Mideast Region Freshman of the Year. Stacey earned AVCA/Sports Imports National Player of the Week in late October.

Erin Hartley, a senior from Midland, Michigan, is a 6-3 outside hitter for the 19th ranked Michigan State Spartans. Hartley led MSU with a .337 hitting percentage on 412 kills, while finishing second on the team with 236 digs, 113 blocks and 34 service aces. She became the seventh player in school history to reach 1,000 career kills and digs. A unanimous All-Big 10 Conference first-team performer, Erin helped Michigan State to a 21-8 record this year and a fourth-place conference finish.

Benavia Jenkins, a sophomore from Ft. Pierce, Florida, is a 6-foot middle blocker for the seventh-ranked University of Florida Gators. Benavia supported Florida's run to the NCAA Regional finals with averages of 3.02 kills and 1.60 blocks per game. She added a sizzling .412 attack percentage in her second collegiate season and ranks among the top 15 in the NCAA Division I national statistical leaders. Benavia is a two-time AVCA All-South Region selection. She earned all-tournament honors at three events this season.

Jennifer Joines, a sophomore from Milpitas, California, is a 6-3 middle blocker for the 12th ranked University of the Pacific Tigers. She was named All-Big West First-Team, along with selection to four different all-tournament teams. Jennifer, a two-time AVCA All-American, charted 601 kills for a 4.73 per game average to go with a 1.50 blocks per game average. She helped the Tigers to a 28-8 record this season and spot in the NCAA Tournament Regional Semifinals.

Jenny Kropp, a senior from Grand Island, Nebraska, is a 6-2 middle blocker for the second-ranked University of Nebraska Cornhuskers. She earned Big 12 All-Conference first-team honors and is a two-time AVCA All-Central Region selection. Jenny averages 1.74 blocks for fourth-best in the nation. She adds 2.45 kills and a 3.78 hitting percentage as the Cornhuskers advanced to the NCAA Tournament semifinals. Jenny had five errorless hitting matches this season and was held to under three blocks in a match just once.

Keri Nishimoto, a senior from Redlands, California, is a 5-7 setter for the top-ranked Long Beach State University 49ers. She engineered the Beach offense with 13.65 assists per game, in addition to 2.47 digs, 0.43 blocks and 0.75 kills per game. Keri helped her offense to a .364 team hitting percentage in 2001, as the Beach is undefeated heading into this weekend. She is a Verizon Academic All-America First-Team selection, which was released yesterday. Keri was the AVCA/Sports Imports National Player of the Week for Nov. 26.

Ogonna Nnamani, a freshman from Normal, Illinois, is a 6-1 outside hitter for the third-ranked Stanford University Cardinal. She was named the AVCA Pacific Region Freshman of the Year this season with averages of 3.82 kills, 0.67 blocks and 1.68 digs per game. Ogonna was selected to the All-Pac 10 First Team, while playing a key role in leading the Cardinal into this weekend's national semifinal match. She earned all-tournaments honors at two events, including one MVP trophy.

Katie Olsovsky, a sophomore from Torrance, California, is a 6-3 middle blocker for fifth-ranked University of Southern California Trojans. She helped USC to a berth in the NCAA Tournament Regional finals and a season-ending 25-4 overall record. Olsovsky charted a .387 hitting percentage with a 2.35 kill per game average. Defensively, she contributed 1.28 blocks and 2.11 digs per game. Katie was selected AVCA/Sports Imports National Player of the Week and Pac-10 Player of the Week for Oct. 15. She earned All-Pac 10 First-Team in 2001.

Soraya Santos, a senior from Vitoria, Brazil, is a 6-1 right side/opposite hitter for the ninth-ranked Colorado State University Rams. She played an important part in getting the Rams to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. Through the regular season, Soraya contributed 3.47 kills, 0.93 blocks and 2.46 digs. She was tabbed to the Mountain West Conference First-Team in 2001. Soraya added 32 service aces to add to offensive threat. She was named to two all-tournament teams, including the Mountain West Conference Tournament.

Katie Wilkins, a sophomore from Lakeside, California, is a 6-4 outside hitter for eighth-ranked Pepperdine University. She was named the West Coast Conference Player of the Year in leading the Wave to the NCAA Tournament Regional semifinal round. Katie averaged 4.96 kills, 2.40 digs and 0.53 blocks this season. A three-time WCC Player of the Week, she was held to under 10 kills in a match just twice this season. Katie contributed six double-doubles on the season, along with a season-high 25 kills against Saint Mary's on Nov. 17.