Nov. 24, 2008

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Western Washington University middle blocker Angie Alvord (Sr., Laurel/Meridian) received first-team recognition and libero Allison Gotz (So., Bothell/Archbishop Murphy) was a second-team pick on the Daktronics West Region Volleyball All-Star squad announced today.

The Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year, Alvord was the league leader in service aces (0.54). She ranked second in hitting percentage (.320) and points (4.78), fourth in kills (3.68) and seventh in blocks (0.89).

Alvord led Western in blocks (81) for the third consecutive year, becoming just the third player in school history to perform that feat. She also paced the team in kills (335), attack percentage (.320) and aces (49).

Alvord tied for fifth among school career leaders in aces (155), was seventh in attack percentatge (.299), eighth in blocks (360) and 13th in kills (860).

Gotz ranked third nationally and led the GNAC in digs (561, 6.10)

The Vikings finished 21-3 and placed second in the conference standings at 13-3.

For the second straight year, right-side hitter Jessica Granados from regional champion Cal State San Bernardino was the Player of the Year.

2008 Daktronics West Region Volleyball All-Star Team

Granados Repeats As NCAA Division II West Region Player-of-the-Year

SPOKANE, WA - Right side hitter Jessica Granados of Cal State San Bernardino has been selected the Daktronics West Region Volleyball Player-of-the-Year for the second year in a row.

Granados was one of three San Bernardino players selected to the first all-region team, earning the honor for the third consecutive season. Joining her on the first team were two of her teammates - setter Sara Hoffman and libero Meghan Haas.

Along with Granados, Hoffman and UC San Diego outside hitter Rebecca Bailey were also repeat selections from last year's first team.

Completing the first team were outside hitter Gabriela Bulawczyk of Cal State L.A. and middle blockers Vanessa Williams of Cal Poly Pomona and Angie Alvord of Western Washington.

Among the seven players named to the second team, two earned their second Daktronics award. Middle hitter Fabiane Seben of Hawaii Hilo was a first-team selection last year and Chico State setter Erica Brick earned second team honors for the second year in a row.

Also earning second team honors were outside hitters Rhea Cardwell of Alaska Anchorage, Kristy Sather of Sonoma State and Stacey Bennett of Western Oregon, Cal State San Bernardino middle blocker Sara Rice and Western Washington libero Allison Gotz.

Players selected to the region first team will be listed on the Daktronics All-American national ballot. The All-American team will be announced Dec. 4.

2008 DAKTRONICS WEST REGION VOLLEYBALL ALL-STAR TEAM

First Team

**Jessica Granados, Cal State San Bernardino, Right Side Hitter, 6-1, Sr., Beaumont, CA
*+Rebecca Bailey, UC San Diego, Outside Hitter, 5-9, Sr., Escondido, CA
Gabriela Bulawczyk, Cal State L.A., Outside Hitter, 6-1, Jr., Sulechow, Poland
Vanessa Williams, Cal Poly Pomona, Middle Hitter, 6-1, Sr., Riverside, CA
Angie Alvord, Western Washington, Middle Hitter, 6-0, Sr., Laurel, WA
*Sara Hoffman, Cal State San Bernardino, Setter, 5-6, Jr., San Clemente, CA
Meghan Haas, Cal State San Bernardino, Libero, 6-0, Sr., Menifee, CA

Second Team

Rhea Cardwell, Alaska Anchorage, Outside Hitter, 5-10, Sr., Prineville, OR
Kristy Sather, Sonoma State, Outside Hitter, 6-0, Sr., Santa Rosa, CA
Stacey Bennett, Western Oregon, Outside Hitter, 6-3, Sr., Portland, OR
*Fabiane Seben, Hawaii Hilo, Middle Hitter, 6-1, Jr., Caxias Do Sul, Brazil
Sara Rice, Cal State San Bernardino, Middle Hitter, 6-0, Sr., Edmonds, WA
+Erica Brick, Chico State, Setter, 5-6, Sr., Laguna Niguel, CA
Allison Gotz, Western Washington, Libero, 5-3, So., Bothell, WA

**2006-07 First Team  *2007 First Team  +Second Team (Bailey in 2006, Brick in 2007)