Yang Zhe of Columbia College Named 1998 AVCA NAIA National Player of the Year

Colorado Springs, Colo. - The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) is pleased to announce that Yang Zhe of Columbia College has been selected the 1998 NAIA National Player of the Year.

 A three-time AVCA First-Team All-American, Zhe led Columbia to its first-ever NAIA national championship and a perfect 45-0 record.  She earned American Midwest Conference (AMC) and Midwest Region Player of the Year honors for the third consecutive season.

The senior setter from Liao Lang, China posted 1,193 assists, 311 digs, 126 kills, 83 blocks and 57 aces in regular-season play.  She averaged 11.15 assists, 2.91 digs, 1.18 kills, .78 blocks and .53 aces per game in 107 games played.  The 1997 AVCA NAIA National Player of the Year helped the Cougars finish the season by winning 110 consecutive games.  During their 45 matches this season, Columbia won 135 of 138 games played, without dropping a single game to NAIA opponents.

She is also a two-time Academic all-conference selection and served as the team’s captain this season.

The formal presentation of awards to the 1998 AVCA Players of the Year will be made Dec. 18, 1998, in Middleton Wis., at the AVCA Player of the Year/All-America brunch beginning at 9:30 a.m.  The brunch, which will take place at the  Marriott Madison West, is held in conjunction with the 1998 AVCA National Convention.