Volleyball Trio Earns AVCA All-Region Honors
12/4/2018 10:23:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Lennon, Morgan, Cunningham recognized
HOUSTON – For the fourth time in program history, three members of the Rice volleyball team earned All-Region selections as Nicole Lennon, Grace Morgan and Lee Ann Cunningham (honorable mention) each earned American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Southwest All-Region accolades, the organization announced Tuesday.
The All-Region honors add to the numerous accolades the trio have already received, as all three were named to the Conference USA's First-Team All-Conference. Morgan took home All-Region honorable mention honors last season while this is the first AVCA recognition for both Lennon and Cunningham.
Rice now has 30 AVCA All-Region selections in program history with 20 Owls having earned the accolade.
Lennon became the first player in Rice history to be named C-USA Player of the Year, just one year removed from being selected the C-USA Co-Freshman of the Year. The Katy, Texas native backed up a strong freshman campaign by leading the Owls in double-doubles (19), total points (542.0; 2nd C-USA), points per set (4.59; 3rd C-USA), total kills (482; 2nd C-USA), kills per set (4.08; 3rd C-USA) and total attacks (1,204; 4th C-USA). Lennon was also second on the Owls in total digs (370; 11th C-USA) and digs per set (2.83). She was named to the C-USA All-Tournament Team after leading the Owls to a C-USA title.
Morgan earned her second straight C-USA First-Team honor after leading the Owls in hitting percentage (.369; 2nd C-USA), total blocks (125; 4th C-USA) and blocks per set (1.09; 2nd C-USA). In addition, Morgan was second on the Owls in total kills (311), kills per set (2.70) and total points (403.0). She posted five or more blocks in 12 matches and hit .300 or better in nine C-USA matches. Morgan joined Lennon on the C-USA All-Tournament Team.
Cunningham was selected to the C-USA First Team for the first time in her career and was a four-time recipient of the C-USA Defensive Player of the Week. She led the Owls in total digs (574; 2nd C-USA) and digs per set (4.86; 3rd C-USA). Cunningham had 20 or more digs in 12 matches and helped anchor a Rice defense that led all of C-USA and ranks 35th in hitting percentage (.165). During C-USA play, the libero ranked third in both total digs and digs per set.
The Owls finished the 2018 season with a 24-7 overall record as Rice reached the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in program history and swept both the C-USA regular season and conference tournament titles.
-RiceOwls.com-
The All-Region honors add to the numerous accolades the trio have already received, as all three were named to the Conference USA's First-Team All-Conference. Morgan took home All-Region honorable mention honors last season while this is the first AVCA recognition for both Lennon and Cunningham.
Rice now has 30 AVCA All-Region selections in program history with 20 Owls having earned the accolade.
Lennon became the first player in Rice history to be named C-USA Player of the Year, just one year removed from being selected the C-USA Co-Freshman of the Year. The Katy, Texas native backed up a strong freshman campaign by leading the Owls in double-doubles (19), total points (542.0; 2nd C-USA), points per set (4.59; 3rd C-USA), total kills (482; 2nd C-USA), kills per set (4.08; 3rd C-USA) and total attacks (1,204; 4th C-USA). Lennon was also second on the Owls in total digs (370; 11th C-USA) and digs per set (2.83). She was named to the C-USA All-Tournament Team after leading the Owls to a C-USA title.
Morgan earned her second straight C-USA First-Team honor after leading the Owls in hitting percentage (.369; 2nd C-USA), total blocks (125; 4th C-USA) and blocks per set (1.09; 2nd C-USA). In addition, Morgan was second on the Owls in total kills (311), kills per set (2.70) and total points (403.0). She posted five or more blocks in 12 matches and hit .300 or better in nine C-USA matches. Morgan joined Lennon on the C-USA All-Tournament Team.
Cunningham was selected to the C-USA First Team for the first time in her career and was a four-time recipient of the C-USA Defensive Player of the Week. She led the Owls in total digs (574; 2nd C-USA) and digs per set (4.86; 3rd C-USA). Cunningham had 20 or more digs in 12 matches and helped anchor a Rice defense that led all of C-USA and ranks 35th in hitting percentage (.165). During C-USA play, the libero ranked third in both total digs and digs per set.
The Owls finished the 2018 season with a 24-7 overall record as Rice reached the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in program history and swept both the C-USA regular season and conference tournament titles.
-RiceOwls.com-
Players Mentioned
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