LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced the 2016 Division III All-America teams Tuesday and four Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference players were recognized. AVCA Release
Colorado College's Abbe Holtze and Trinity University's Kirby Smith earned first team honors, while Southwestern University's Nikki Welch was named to second team and Kate Mitchell was an honorable mention selection.
Holtze, a senior outside hitter from Manhattan Beach, California, earned her third All-America honor this year after previously doing so in 2013 and 2015. Holtze averaged 3.65 kills per set, while hitting .239. She also recorded 3.59 digs and 0.47 blocks per set. She was already named the SCAC Player of the Year earlier this month.
Holtze and CC made it to the regional semifinals of the NCAA Division III Volleyball Tournament, before falling to SCAC foe Southwestern.
Smith, a junior outside hitter from Pilot Point, Texas, became the 10th first-team All-America selection for the Tigers. She averaged 3.56 kills and 3.02 digs per set, while hitting .263.
Smith and her Trinity squad earned the SCAC title during both the regular season and the tournament.
Welch, a senior setter from Austin, Texas, leads a Pirates' offense that is tallying13.20 kills per set and hitting .208. On the season, she is averaging 10.44 assists and 3.06 digs per set.
Mitchell, a junior outside hitter from Roseville, California, earned her first All-American recognition this season. Mitchell leads Southwestern with 3.33 kills per set, while also recording 0.59 blocks per set, which is second among the lineup. Her attack percentage of .276 ranks fourth among the Pirates.
Southwestern advanced the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament and will compete against Tufts (27-3) Thursday evening.
