University of Delaware Seniors Alissa Alker, Chelsea Lawrence Named To 2012 Preseason All-CAA Volleyball Team
August 21, 2012
Photos Courtesy of Mark Campbell
RICHMOND, Va. -- University of Delaware seniors Alissa Alker and Chelsea Lawrence have been selected to the 2012 Preseason All-Colonial Athletic Association Volleyball Team announced by the conference on Tuesday.
Alker (at right), an outside hitter from San Diego, Calif. (Scripps Ranch HS), and Lawrence, a middle hitter from Evanston, Ill. (Evanston Township HS), were two of eight players named to the preseason all-conference team. Natalie Abel of James Madison, Jillian Briner of Northeastern, Katy Buck of Towson, Christi Laite of UNCW, Natalia Skiba of Northeastern, and Janelle Tucker of Northeastern were also selected to the squad, with Buck earning Preseason Player of the Year honors.
Danielle Erb of James Madison, Lana Zonjic of George Mason, Kelsie Willis of Hofstra, and Aubrey Kirven of Towson were named preseason honorable mention.
Alker was a first team All-CAA selection a year ago who was also named honorable mention AVCA All-East Region. Alker led the Blue Hens with 466.5 total points during her junior campaign, when she ranked second on the squad with 382 kills and third with 384 digs. She finished seventh in the conference in kills and eclipsed the 15-kill mark during nine matches, including a season-high 24 during a win at James Madison on Nov. 11.
Additionally, Alker was second on the Blue Hens with 32 service aces and finished third on the team with 93 blocks, including nine in the CAA Tournament championship game win over VCU.
Lawrence (at left) was also an All-CAA performer a year ago, earning second team all-conference laurels in 2011. Lawrence, who led UD with a .264 hitting percentage last season, posted 120 blocks to rank second on the squad and 271 kills to place fourth. She recorded nine double-digit kill games during the year, including 18 kills against VCU on Oct. 15.
The Blue Hens, who were picked second in the CAA Preseason Coaches Poll announced last week, open their 2012 campaign this Friday when Delaware takes on San Diego State at 10 p.m. ET at the SDSU Tournament. UD then faces California the following afternoon, before three matches at the University of Virginia Tournament on Aug. 31-Sept. 1.
2012 Preseason All-CAA Volleyball Team
Natalie Abel, James Madison
Alissa Alker, Delaware
Jillian Briner, Northeastern
Katy Buck, Towson
Christi Laite, UNCW
Chelsea Lawrence, Delaware
Natalia Skiba, Northeastern
Janelle Tucker, Northeastern
Honorable Mention
Danielle Erb, James Madison
Lana Zonjic, George Mason
Kelsie Willis, Hofstra
Aubrey Kirven, Towson
Preseason Player of the Year: Katy Buck, Towson
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