COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) is pleased to announce Miami-Dade Community College freshman outside hitter Madelaynne Montano as its 2002 AVCA Two-Year College National Player of the Year.

Montano, a native of Cali, Columbia, paced Miami-Dade to an undefeated record (32-0) and its second consecutive national championship at the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I Tournament. As a first-year collegiate player, she averaged 4.25 kills, 3.97 blocks, 3.80 digs and 0.93 aces per game. Montano ranked as the top blocker in the state of Florida, en route to being selected Florida Community College Activities Association (FCCAA) Southern Conference Player of the Year and FCCAA All-State.

"Madelaynne is a wonderful athlete and student," Miami-Dade Head Coach Ilida Medero said. "She is performing exceedingly well in all her classes and on the court she is an excellent hitter. She trains very hard in order to improve on her physical conditioning. As a young volleyball player, she listens and tries to correct any mistakes in her performance. This is a student-athlete that will be successful in volleyball and in life. She strives to succeed and I am sure she will accomplish her goals in the near future."

Montano tallied 50 kills and 20 blocks at the NJCAA Division I National Tournament, despite sitting out the first match of the tournament. She produced 20 kills and four blocks in the national semifinal match against long-time rival Southern Idaho, and followed that up with a 21-kill, nine-block performance in the title match against Southwest Missouri State-West Plains. Montano was named to the NJCAA All-National Tournament Team following the event. During the 2002 season, she was also selected most valuable player at the Southwest Missouri State-West Plains Tournament of Champions and the Jefferson College Invitational.

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 Two-Year College National Players of the Year
2001: Juliana Escobar (Barton County)
2000: Stephanie Martin (Southern Idaho)
1999: Fabiana Spisso de Abreu (Southern Idaho)
1998: Fabiana Spisso de Abreu (Southern Idaho)
1997: Hai Yan (Southern Idaho)
1996: Jenni Roselli (Spokane Falls)
1995: Paula Araujo (Southern Idaho)
1994: Katianne Simonetti (Southern Idaho)
1993: Jessica Lee (Golden West)
1992: Pele Baker (Eastern Arizona)
1991: Hilda Gaxiola (Texas Southmost)
1990: Sandra Pena (Miami-Dade-Wolfson Campus)
1989: Kristine Cousins (Miami-Dade-South Campus)
1988: Nicole Stubbs (Schoolcraft)
1987: Sonia Trevino (San Jacinto-Central Campus)