Four Huskers Earn AVCA All-Region Accolades

Lincoln ? Four University of Nebraska volleyball players were honored Wednesday, as they were named first-team All-Central Region by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. The players included senior outside hitter Jordan Larson, junior middle blocker Kori Cooper, sophomore setter Sydney Anderson and sophomore outside hitter Tara Mueller.

Nebraska’s four first-team selections were the most in the region, as all four Huskers are now under consideration for All-America honors, which will be announced on Dec. 17.

Larson is recognized as a first-team all-region pick for the third consecutive season, as the Hooper, Neb., native seeks her third All-America certificate. On the season, she averaging 3.95 kills, 3.19 digs and 0.33 service aces per set, ranking among Big 12 leaders in service aces (second), points (4.62, third), kills (fourth) and digs (10th). The Big 12 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, Larson recorded a team-high 15 double-doubles, including nine in the Huskers’ last 10 matches. She had a season-high 21 kills at No. 17 Kansas State on Sept. 17, and totaled 20 kills and 18 digs at Baylor on Nov. 29, to help the Huskers win their fifth consecutive Big 12 crown.

Anderson is recognized for the second time in her career, as he was the AVCA West Regional Freshman of the Year in 2006. This season, Anderson averages 11.73 assists, 2.02 digs, 0.57 blocks and 0.30 aces per set, ranking second in the Big 12 in assists and eighth in aces. The Salt Lake City, Utah, native has helped NU rank in the top 15 nationally in kills, assists and hitting percentage, while the Huskers have hit .300 or better in 14 matches. She has six double-doubles and three matches with at least 50 assists, highlighted by a 52-assist, 10-dig performance in a win over No. 3 Texas on Sept. 20.

Cooper garners AVCA All-Central Region honors for the first time in her career. The Amarillo, Texas, product averaged 2.09 kills and 0.88 blocks per set for the Huskers before suffering a season-ending knee injury on Nov. 19. Cooper is second in the Big 12 with a .396 hitting percentage, a total that is ninth on NU’s single-season lists. She totaled double figures in kills four times, including a season best 12 kills on .524 hitting and three blocks in a win over Iowa State on Sept. 27.

Mueller collects her first AVCA honor, as she enters this weekend’s NCAA Regional averaging 3.50 kills and 2.33 digs per set. She ranks seventh in the Big 12 in kills and points per set (3.95) and totaled six double-doubles in 2008. The Scottsdale, Ariz., native enjoyed her best match of the year against No. 15 Kansas State on Nov. 8, drilling a career-high 20 kills on .613 hitting and had 19 kills and 16 digs in a win at Texas A&M on Nov. 5. Mueller has led the Huskers in kills 12 times this season.

2008 AVCA First-Team All-Central Region

Player<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

School

Pos.

Yr.

Sydney Anderson

Nebraska

S

So.

Kelly Broussard

Wichita State

DS/Lib.

Sr.

Kori Cooper

Nebraska

MB

Jr.

Ashley Engle**

Texas

RS/Opp.

Jr.

Victoria Henson

Iowa State

OH

So.

Destinee Hooker***

 Texas

OH

Jr.

Jessica Houts

Creighton 

MB

Jr.

Nataly Korobkova**

Kansas State

RS/Opp.

Sr. 

Jordan Larson***

Nebraska

OH

Sr.

Kaylee Manns

Iowa State

S

Jr.

Ashley Mass

Iowa State

DS/Lib.

So.

Tara Mueller

Nebraska

OH

So.

Lauren Paolini**

Texas

MB

Sr.

Emily Stockman

Wichita State

OH

Jr.

*-previous times named first-team All-Region