NATIONAL AMERICAN'S FERNANDA VIVANCOS MIRANDA NAMED 2001 AVCA NAIA PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Colorado Springs, Colo. -- The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) is pleased to announce that Fernanda Vivancos Miranda of National American University has been selected the 2001 AVCA NAIA National Player of the Year.

Vivancos Miranda, a 5-10 sophomore setter, led National American to a second-place finish at the NAIA Volleyball Championship, where she was named to the all-tournament team for her efforts. A native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, she averaged 12.11 assists per game and was instrumental in the Mavericks' advancement to the championship match against undefeated Columbia College.

"When I review the season I realize that Fernanda is definitely deserving of the national player of the year award for NAIA," National American Head Coach Amy Erlandson said. "She is a tremendous leader and the key to our success this season because she ran the offense effectively and read defenses so well. She was our magic."

Vivancos Miranda's list of accomplishments during the 2001 campaign include earning MVP accolades at the Rocky Mountain Tournament, in addition to being selected to the all-tournament team at the Dickinson State University Classic. She had 17 outings with 45 or more assists and seven with over 50.

A two-time NAIA First-Team All-Region III selection, Vivancos Miranda earned AVCA NAIA Second-Team All-America honors last season.

The Mavericks finished the 2001 season at 39-3 and were pushed to a fifth game in only four of the 39 wins. Additionally, the squad never ranked lower than sixth during regular season.

The formal presentation of the award to the 2001 AVCA National Players of the Year will be made Dec. 14 in San Diego at the AVCA All-America/Player of the Year banquet. The banquet, which will take place at the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina, is held in conjunction with the 2001 AVCA National Convention and NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball National Championship.

- AVCA -