Gonzales, Jones Earn First Team All-America Honors
Junior Crista Jones (L) and senior Brianna Gonzales are La Verne's first duo to earn First Team All-America honors since 1982 (www.applerosephotography.com)
Brianna Gonzales and Crista Jones have been selected as First Team All-America by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) for the 2008 season as announced by the AVCA on Tuesday.
A senior outside hitter from Whittier, Gonzales led the team in kills with 353, an average of 4.06 per set as she earns First Team All-America honors for the second consecutive year. Gonzales repeated as SCIAC Player of the Year in 2008 and earned All-West Region honors for the second straight season. Additionally, she earned Most Outstanding Player honors at the West Region championships as La Verne advanced to its fifth NCAA Quarterfinal in the decade.
Jones enjoyed a breakout season with the Leopards in earning her first-ever All-America selection, pacing the squad in hitting percentage (.344) and blocks (80). A junior middle blocker from Fresno, Jones also totaled 257 kills, an average of 2.95 per set. She earned First Team All-SCIAC honors while earning All-West Region accolades.
The selections mark the first time in 26 seasons that La Verne has been represented by two players on the First Team in the same year. The last Leopard duo to accomplish the feat were Sue Haebecker and Eileen Kamidoi in 1981 and in 1982.
This season, La Verne is 25-2 overall heading to the NCAA Quarterfinal round in Bloomington, Illinois. The Leopards will face New Paltz State (NY) Thursday at 1:30 pm Pacific Time.
