Bruzdzinski Voted All-Region, Makes All-America Ballot
12/6/2006 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan junior outside hitter Katie Bruzdzinski (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North) earned All-Mideast Region honors as selected by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, the AVCA announced Wednesday (Dec. 6).
With her selection, Bruzdzinski is now eligible for the AVCA All-America team, which will be announced Dec. 13. Erin Moore (2000-03) is the only All-American in program history, earning All-America third team honors in 2003.
Bruzdzinski finished the regular season with the most kills (521), points (595.0) and aces (48) in the Big Ten Conference, earning All-Big Ten honors and leading the Wolverines to their sixth NCAA Tournament in the last eight seasons. She shattered Michigan's single-season kills record and ascended to third on U-M's all-time kills list and sixth on the all-time aces list. She also became just the 10th Big Ten volleyball player in conference history to win back-to-back Big Ten Player of the Week honors when she earned the weekly laurel Nov. 6 and 13.
Bruzdzinski joins Moore and 1997 all-district honoree Linnea Mendoza (1994-97), as the only Wolverines to earn AVCA accolades. Moore was named honorable mention All-Mideast Region in her junior season (2002) before earning All-America third team honors as a senior (2003), while Mendoza was named to the AVCA All-District II team in 1997.
The Wolverines (21-13, 8-12 Big Ten) concluded the 2006 in the NCAA Tournament after beginning the season with a program-best 13-0 mark and finishing tied for seventh in the Big Ten.
2006 AVCA All-Mideast Region
ALL-REGION TEAM
Katie Bruzdzinski, Michigan, OH
Brittney Dolgner, Wisconsin, OH
Nicole Fawcett, Penn State, OH
Christa Harmotto, Penn State, MB
Megan Hodge, Penn State, OH
Stephanie Lynch, Purdue, MB
Marisa Main, Ohio State, S
Kate McCullagh, Northern Illinois, MB
Danielle Meyer, Ohio State, MB
Meredith Nelson, Minnesota, MB
Malama Peniata, Minnesota, LB
Jackie Simpson, Wisconsin, S
HONORABLE MENTION
Kelly Bowman, Minnesota, RS
Chrissy Gothke, Bowling Green, S
Melissa Griffin, Ohio, MB
Savanah Parra, Ohio, S
Ashley Schatzle, Michigan State, OH
Jocelyn Wack, Wisconsin, LB
Freshman of the Year
Megan Hodge, Penn State
