LEXINGTON, Ky. - Five SCAC student-athletes were named to the AVCA All-America team on Tuesday highlighted by three first-team selections. Complete AVCA Release
Colorado College's senior right-side hitter Courtney Birkett and junior outside hitter Abbe Holtze joined Southwestern University's senior outside hitter Kaitlyn Foster as first-team honorees. Senior libero Sophie Merrifield of Colorado College and junior setter Nikki Welch of Southwestern University received honorable mentions to round off the 2015 class for the SCAC.
Birkett, a first-team All-SCAC and All-Region selection, became the first player in CC history to record more than 1,000 career kills, digs and assists. Birkett was also named SCAC Player of the Year and racked up three SCAC offensive player of the week honors. She finished the season with a team best 652 assists, 86 total blocks and 77 block assists.
Holtze, a first-team All-SCAC and three time All-Region honoree, led the Tigers with 458.5 points, 396 kills and 40 service aces. Holtze joined Birkett as just the fourth player at CC to earn at least 1,000 career kills and digs.
Foster, a first-team All-SCAC and All-Region selection, ranked second in the conferene in kills per set (3.64) and fourth in total kills (335). Foster was also named SCAC Tournament MVP and earned three SCAC player of the week awards with one national player of the week.
Merrifield, a first-team All-SCAC and All-Region selection, was named SCAC Back Row Player of the Year and broke Colorado College's record for career digs with a total of 2,490. Merrifield was a three-time SCAC Defensive Player of the Week honoree.
Welch, a first-team All-SCAC and All-Region selection, posted 847 total assists and 9.21 assists per set on the season, both second in the conference. Welch was also a member of the SCAC All-Tournament team.
The Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference joined only one other conference in the country to have more than one student-athlete named AVCA First-Team All-America.
