SEWARD, Neb. – Three Concordia University volleyball student-athletes garnered regional honors from the American Volleyball Coaches Association, as announced on Monday. After a sparkling sophomore season, Jocelyn Garcia earned NAIA AVCA West Central Region Libero of the Year recognition. She was also named to the West Central Region team along with junior Alayna Kavanaugh. Sophomore Annie Friesen was tabbed honorable mention all-region.
Kavanaugh has received all-region honors for the second-straight season (honorable mention in 2014). Claire White also collected AVCA West Central Region team recognition in 2014.
A first team all-conference selection and three-time GPAC player of the week, Garcia took off while taking over the libero role in 2015. The native of Brighton, Colo., racked up a team high 559 digs for an average of 4.5 per set. Garcia posted a career best 27 digs in a five-set win over No. 20 Montana Tech. She piled up 20 or more digs on 11 ocassions in 2015.
Kavanaugh, a two-time first team all-conference choice, helped drive Concordia to its first-ever national tournament appearance as the quarterback of the offensive attack. The Lincoln Christian High School product averaged 10.8 assists per game (12th most among all NAIA players). Kavanaugh was named the GPAC setter of the week four times this season. She totaled career highs in assists (1,331), kills (113), digs (245) and sets played (123).
Concordia’s accomplished setter often found Friesen in the middle. It was a breakout campaign for the native of Wichita, Kan., who ranked eighth nationally in hitting percentage (.374). Friesen, a first team all-conference performer, starred as one of five Bulldog hitters with 240 or more kills. Her 313 kills far surpassed her total of 125 as a freshman. She also led Concordia with 113 total blocks (0.9 per game).
The Bulldogs finished the season at 26-9 overall. The campaign included a run to the GPAC tournament championship match.