Nebraska volleyball was well-represented on the AVCA All-America Teams announced Wednesday. Senior outside hitter Mikaela Foecke and sophomore middle blocker Lauren Stivrins were named first-team, senior libero Kenzie Maloney named third-team and freshman setter Nicklin Hames received honorable mention.
The #Huskers placed 3⃣ players on the @AVCAVolleyball All-America Teams to bring their nation-leading total to 9⃣0⃣ all-time!@mikaela_foecke First-Team All-American@LaurenStivrins First-Team All-American@KenzieMaloney1 Third-Team All-American @HamesNicklin Honorable Mention pic.twitter.com/9XGygXbjGB
— Husker Volleyball (@Huskervball) December 12, 2018
Foecke adds the first-team recognition to an already impressive resume, including a second-team AVCA All-America designation in 2017. She was also selected unanimous first team All-Big Ten for the second year in a row.
Foecke has 21 aces in her NCAA career, which is second in Nebraska history behind Jordan Larson. She leads the Huskers with 3.80 kills per game, while averaging 2.69 digs per set.
Stivrins also has an impressive resume, including first team All-Big Ten for 2018. She was a two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the week and also Big Ten player of the week once this season. Her .409 hitting percentage ranks sixth in the nation and is Nebraska’s highest since 2007. Stivrins was named to the Minneapolis All-Regional team last weekend.
Maloney is averaging a team-best 4.06 digs per set and has played a key role in the Nebraska’s defensive success. She and Foecke have had successful Nebraska careers together and are the only Huskers in school history to play in four NCAA semifinals.
Hames earned honorable mention after setting a school record with 23 double-doubles this season, averaging 10.46 assists and 3.33 digs per set. Hames was an All-Big Ten Freshman Team member and Big Ten Freshman of the week twice.
The Division I TeamSnap/AVCA National Player of the Year will be announced on Dec. 14 at the AVCA All-America/Players of the Year Banquet.
Foecke was also named the 2018 Senior CLASS Award in NCAA Division I women’s volleyball on Wednesday. This award honors athletes who excel in the classroom, community, character and competition. She is the first Husker to win the award since Gina Mancuso in 2012.
https://twitter.com/Huskervball/status/1072891411941507072
Nebraska is heading back to its fourth straight Final Four. The Huskers will face Illinois at 8 p.m. CT on Thursday. The match will be broadcast on ESPN.
