Alvord
Alvord
Western Washington University middle blocker Angie Alvord (Sr., Laurel/Meridian) was a first-team selection and libero Allison Gotz (So., Bothell/Archbishop Murphy) received honorable mention on the 2008 American Volleyball Coaches Association NCAA Division II All-American team announced Dec. 3, 2008.
"This is a great honor for Angie and a well-deserved one as well," said Western coach Diane Flick. "Angie put forth an All-American effort every night she competed, but what makes her such a special player is that she was an All-American everyday in practice."
Alvord is the first middle blocker in school history to earn first-team All-America recognition. She is just the third Viking player named a first-team AVCA All-American and the fifth overall to receive first-team All-America honors.
Libero Courtney Schneider was a first-team AVCA pick in 2007 and setter Liz Bishop in 2002. Libero Nicola Parker was a first-team Daktronics NCAA II choice in 2003, and outside hitter Lorrie Post was a first-team NAIA All-American in 1990.
Alvord led Western in blocks (81) for the third consecutive year, becoming just the third player in school history to perform that feat. She also paced the team in kills (335), attack percentage (.320) and aces (49).
The league leader in service aces (0.54), Alvord ranked second in hitting percentage (.320) and points (4.78), fourth in kills (3.68) and seventh in blocks (0.89).
Alvord finished her four-year career tied for fifth among school leaders in aces (155). She was seventh in attack percentage (.299), eighth in blocks (360) and 13th in kills (860). Alvord also was named to both the first-team AVCA and Daktronics West Region squads and received 2008 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year recognition. Gotz ranked third nationally in digs (561, 6.10) and led the GNAC. She was a second-team Daktronics West Region and GNAC all-star and received AVCA West Region honorable mention.
"Allie is keeping up with the libero legacy here at Western," Flick said. "This is only her sophomore campaign and with her potential and work ethic, there is only more great things to come for her in the next two years."
The Vikings finished 21-3, were ranked as high as No.3 nationally, and placed second in the league standings at 13-3.