The AVCA is proud to announce its 2023 Division I Women’s Volleyball All-Region teams and award winners.
There are 14 All-Region team members and additional honorable mention selections for each of the 10 regions. The regions also selected a Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year, and Coach of the Year for 2023.
The more than 200 student-athletes who made All-Region represent 103 different schools, led by the University of Louisville and the University of Pittsburgh with seven selections each. The University of Nebraska, the University of Oregon, and Stanford University have six apiece.
EAST REGION
Player of the Year: Anna DeBeer, University of Louisville, OH, Sr.
Region Coach of the Year: Kirsten Bernthal Booth, Creighton University
EAST COAST REGION
Region Player of the Year: Rachel Fairbanks, University of Pittsburgh, S, Jr.
Region Freshman of the Year: Olivia Babcock, University of Pittsburgh, RS
Region Coach of the Year: Joanne Persico, St. John’s University
MIDWEST REGION
Region Player of the Year: Lexie Almodovar, University of Dayton, OH, R-Jr.
Region Freshman of the Year: Nayeli Gonzalez, Iowa State University, OH
Region Coach of the Year: Colleen Munson, Western Michigan University
NORTH REGION
Region Player of the Year: Merritt Beason, University of Nebraska, RS, Jr.
Region Freshman of the Year: Harper Murray, University of Nebraska, OH
Region Coach of the Year: John Cook, University of Nebraska
NORTHEAST REGION
Region Player of the Year: Sarah Franklin, University of Wisconsin, OH, R-Jr.
Region Freshman of the Year: Chloe Chicoine, Purdue University, OH
Region Coaches of the Year: Kelly Sheffield, University of Wisconsin and Travers Green, Wright State University
PACIFIC NORTH REGION
Region Player of the Year: Kendall Kipp, Stanford University, RS, Sr.
Region Freshman of the Year: Maggie Li, University of California, Berkeley, OH
Region Coach of the Year: Rob Neilson, Utah State University
PACIFIC SOUTH REGION
Region Player of the Year: Skylar Fields, University of Southern California, OH, Sr.
Region Freshman of the Year: Dionii Fraga, Fresno State University, L
Region Coach of the Year: J.J. Van Niel, Arizona State University
SOUTH REGION
Region Player of the Year: Paige Briggs, Western Kentucky University, OH, Gr.
Region Freshman of the Year: Jurnee Robinson, Louisiana State University, OH
Region Coach of the Year: Jason Watson, University of Arkansas
SOUTHEAST REGION
Region Player of the Year: Morgahn Fingall, University of Tennessee, RS, Gr.
Region Freshman of the Year: Brooklyn DeLeye, University of Kentucky, OH
Region Coach of the Year: Steve Loeswick, Coastal Carolina University
SOUTHWEST REGION
Region Player of the Year: Madisen Skinner, University of Texas, OH, Jr.
Region Freshman of the Year: Ella Swindle, University of Texas, S
Region Coach of the Year: Debbie Humphreys, Stephen F. Austin State University
2023 AVCA DIVISION I REGION COACHES OF THE YEAR
The following coaches have been selected as this year’s AVCA Region Coaches of the Year. Each of the honorees can be considered for the AVCA National Coach of the Year, and the awards will be presented at the Coaches Honors Luncheon in Tampa on Dec. 14, at the 2023 AVCA Convention.
EAST REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
Kirsten Bernthal Booth, Creighton University
2023 Record (as of Dec. 4): 29-4
Booth has her team back in the round of 16 in the NCAA Championship for the third time in the past decade. The Blue Jays head into the regional on a 17-match winning streak, a stretch which saw Creighton earn first-place finishes in both the BIG EAST regular season and tournament.
EAST COAST REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
Joanne Persico, St. John’s University
2023 Record (as of Dec. 4): 24-11
Persico picks up her first AVCA Region Coach of the Year honor. Her 30th season at St. John’s was a good one, as the team reached the 20-win plateau for the second-straight year and made it back-to-back seasons of playing in the NIVC Tournament. This September, she also earned her 550th career win.
MIDWEST REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
Colleen Munson, Western Michigan University
2023 Record (as of Dec. 4): 31-3
Munson has made a habit of winning since she took over the Bronco program in 2005. This year’s squad became the school’s first team to reach the 30-win mark since 1983. They reeled off 21-straight victories, a stretch that went from mid-September through the second round of the NCAA Championship.
NORTH REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
John Cook, University of Nebraska
2023 Record (as of Dec. 4): 30-1
There isn’t much Cook’s Huskers haven’t accomplished so far in 2023. In addition to welcoming a record crowd of 92,003 in late August, his team reeled off 27 wins to start the season and claimed this year’s Big Ten volleyball crown outright. Nebraska also has been ranked No. 1 in the last six AVCA Polls.
NORTHEAST REGION COACHES OF THE YEAR
Kelly Sheffield, University of Wisconsin
2023 Record (as of Dec. 4): 28-3
Sheffield has the Badgers flying high as they look to make another deep NCAA Championship run. His squad opened 2023 by winning its first 18 matches, with six of those victories coming against ranked opponents, and closed the regular season by sweeping top-ranked Nebraska in Madison.
Travers Green, Wright State University
2023 Record (as of Dec. 4): 21-11
It has been quite a ride since Green took over at Wright State before last season. The Raiders rolled to the Horizon League regular-season and tournament titles for the second-straight year. Green picked up the league’s Coach of the Year award again and earns his first AVCA Region Coach of the Year honor.
PACIFIC NORTH REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
Rob Neilson, Utah State University
2023 Record (as of Dec. 4): 24-7
The hits just keep on coming for Utah State volleyball since Neilson took over as head coach. He led the 2023 Aggies to the program’s second-straight NCAA Championship appearance (first time since 2000-01) and third-consecutive season with 22 or more wins (first time since 1980-82).
PACIFIC SOUTH REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
J.J. Van Niel, Arizona State University
2023 Record (as of Dec. 4): 28-6
The Sun Devils’ first-year coach has enjoyed a remarkable debut season. Van Niel has led Arizona State to an incredible turnaround, as the 28 wins are the most by an ASU squad this century. After opening the season with 14-straight wins, his team is making the school’s first NCAA regional appearance since 1995.
SOUTH REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
Jason Watson, University of Arkansas
2023 Record (as of Dec. 4): 27-5
Watson has helped Arkansas continue its ascension as one of the nation’s elite programs. His Razorbacks cracked the top 10 in the AVCA Poll in mid-October for the first time in school history, rising as high as No. 8. They also are back in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 25 years.
SOUTHEAST REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
Steve Loeswick, Coastal Carolina University
2023 Record (as of Dec. 4): 22-10
It has been quite a season for Loeswick and Coastal Carolina. After stepping in as head coach in early September, he led the Chanticleers to a 14-2 mark in Sun Belt play and conference regular-season and tourney titles. His team also was 7-4 against teams that made the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
SOUTHWEST REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
Debbie Humphreys, Stephen F. Austin State University
2023 Record (as of Dec. 4): 29-5
Humphreys enjoyed a highly successful 35th season of leading Stephen F. Austin State volleyball, picking up her 800th career win along the way. Her squad went 29-5, including going undefeated in WAC play, and earned the program’s first at-large berth in the NCAA Championship.