Nov. 29, 2007

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Western Washington University libero Courtney Schneider has been named to the 2007 Daktronics NCAA Division II All-American Volleyball second-team.

The Daktronics team is selected by the nation's sports information directors. Earlier this week, Schneider was named to the first team of the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American squad. She is just the second Viking to be named to both teams, setter Liz Bishop being a first-team AVCA and second-team Daktronics pick in 2002.

A 5-foot-9 senior from Snohomish, Schneider was one of just two Pacific Region players named to the All-American team. Right-side hitter Jessica Granados of Cal State San Bernardino was a third-team selection.

Going into this week's NCAA Elite Eight, Schneider is the national digs per game leader with a 7.58 average and will be seeking her second straight national dig statistical title.

Schneider, who has broken her own school and GNAC season records with 750 digs, ranks third among NCAA II career leaders in that category with 2,594. Her career digs per game average of 6.94 is nearly one dig per game better than the current national record.

Schneider was the 2007 GNAC Player of the Year, also being a first-team AVCA and Daktronics all-region and league all-star, all for the third time.

Western, 24-4 and ranked No.15 in the latest AVCA national poll, has won its last 19 straight matches.

The Vikings face Dowling, N.Y. (39-7) Thursday 3 p.m. (PST) in the Elite Eight at Topeka, Kansas. All of their matches will be video streamed live on CSTV.

Friday's semifinal match against either Tampa FL (31-2) or host Washburn (37-3) will start at 4:30 p.m. and Saturday's final is at 5 p.m.

2007 DAKTRONICS VOLLEYBALL ALL-AMERICA SELECTIONS

FIRST TEAM
S Maggie McNamara SO Concorida-St. Paul Zumbrota, Minn.
OH Melissa Bartlett SR Hillsdale Catham, Ontario, CA
OH Manuela Nesheva SO Harding Lukovit, Bulgaria
MB/MH Liz Holmes SR Northern Kentucky Cincinnati, Ohio
MB/MH Edith Musebe SR Henderson State Nairobi, Kenya
RS/Opp Vicky Braegelman SR Minnesota-Duluth Albany Minn.
L/DS Lacie Allen SR Central Oklahoma Edmond, Okla.
SECOND TEAM
S Kate Hampson SO Washburn Fort Collins, Colo.
OH Erin Contons SR Southwest Minnesota State Apple Valley, Minn.
OH Justyna Michon SR Dowling Katowice, Poland
MB/MH Erin Clark SR Tampa Tampa, Fla.
MB/MH Emily Schroeder SR Wayne State-Nebraska Belden, Neb.
RS/Opp Tessa Jones SR Washburn Lee's Summit, Mo.
L/DS Courtney Schneider SR Western Washington Snohomish, Wash.
THIRD TEAM
S Beth Robbins JR Indianapolis Cincinnati, Ohio
OH Joanna Nist SO California (Pa.) Rockwood, Pa.
OH Camilla Pagnan JR Barry (Fla.) Morro da Fumaca, Brazil
MB/MH Jenna Newman SR Edinboro Las Vegas, Nev.
MB/MH Nicole Schwab SR Fort Lewis Loveland, Colo.
RS/Opp Jessica Granados JR Cal State San Bernardino Beaumont, Calif.
L/DS Margeaux Sinibaldi SR Tampa Venice, Fla.
PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
VICKY BRAEGELMAN (MINNESOTA-DULUTH)
EDITH MUSBE (HENDERSON STATE)