Eight Earn AVCA All-America Accolades, Hodson Earns National Honor

SAN FRANCISCO - The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced its All-America honorees on Wednesday as well as the AVCA Freshman of the Year. Eight Pac-12 players earned AVCA All-America status, marking the 14th-straight year the Pac-12 has had eight or more honorees. Additionally, STANFORD freshman Hayley Hodson was named AVCA National Freshman of the Year.

Hodson is the second Pac-12 player to be named Freshman of the Year in the last three years. The Newport Beach, Calif., native and outside hitter has earned numerous accolades for her performance during the 2015 season including second-team All-America honors. Hodson was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and was a five-time Pac-12 Freshman of the Week honoree. She started all 29 matches for the Cardinal and led the team with 13 doubles, averaging 3.82 kills, 2.42 digs, 0.34 aces and 4.52 points per set. Hodson was previously recognized by the AVCA as an All-Pacific North Region honoree and the Pacific North Region Freshman of the Year.

USC senior and Pac-12 Player of the Year Samantha Bricio was named a first-team All-American and is the seventh player in USC history to be selected as an AVCA All-American at least three times, earning second-team honors in 2014 and 2013. WASHINGTON senior middle blocker Lianna Sybeldon was a first-team All-America honoree, as well. A second-team All-American in 2014, Sybeldon is the 11th Husky in program history to earn All-America accolades more than once.

Second-team selections from the Pac-12 were Hodson and teammate sophomore middle blocker Merete Lutz. Lutz is a second-team All-American for the second-straight year. Senior middle blocker Alicia Ogoms from USC was a second-team honoree, as well.

Three players from the Conference were named third-team AVCA All-Americans. Stanford Senior Madi Bugg is an All-American for the third-straight year (2014: first-team, 2013: second-team) and the 15th Cardinal to garner All-America accolades at least three times. Bugg was also named the Pac-12 Setter of the Year for the second-straight season. UCLA junior Taylor Formico, the Pac-12 Libero of the Year, is the 29th different Bruin in school history to be named an All-American. Senior outside hitter Brittany Howard of Stanford is the 33rd Cardinal to earn All-America status, which is second all-time behind Nebraska at 40.

Pac-12 student-athletes to earn honorable mention honors were: Jordan Anderson, Jr., UCLA; Alexis Austin, Sr., COLO; Claire Felix, Jr., UCLA; Whitney Follette, Sr., ASU; Penina Snuka, Sr., ARIZ; Cassie Strickland, Sr., WASH; and Taylor Whittingham, Sr., USC.

The awards will be presented Dec. 18, 2015, in Omaha, Neb., at the AVCA All-America/Players of the Year Banquet. Each of the three AVCA All-America Teams is comprised of 14 athletes.

For a full list of the All-America honorees, visit the AVCA’s website or click here.