Nicholls Earns NCAA/AVCA First-Team All-America, Thibodeau Honorable Mention

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Christina Nicholls

GEORGETOWN, TX (11/18/2011)(readMedia)-- LEXINGTON, Ky. - The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) is proud to announce the 31st annual AVCA All-America teams for NCAA Division III women's volleyball. Christina Nicholls, a senior setter from Austin, Texas, was selected as First Team All-America and is the first Pirate to receive the honor since SU became an NCAA Division III institution.

Nicholls ended the year ranked 16th in the nation in assists per set, averaging 10.64, less than one assist behind national leader Ashley Maher of St. Thomas (MN). She was the leader on the court for the Pirates this season while statistically leading in assists, was second in service aces and fifth in blocks.

Her sensational senior season was evidenced by the numerous awards accumulated throughout the year. Nicholls was named D3VB Player-of-the-Week on November 2nd, SCAC Player-of-the-Year, All-SCAC First Team, and AVCA All-South Region First Team.

Nicholls has been an Honorable Mention selection the past two seasons.

This is Thibodeau's first All-America selection and earned the spot with her increased role and performance in the second half of the season. She served as the main attacking threat for the Pirates and go-to hitter when SU needed a big kill. Thibodeau is a large reason Southwestern ended the year 18th in the nation in kills per set (13.06). She averaged three kills per set, 8th in the SCAC, and led Southwestern in kills with 351 on the season. Thibodeau was a strong all-around player for SU as she was third on the team in assists (24), first in aces (31) and second in digs (461).

The awards were presented Nov. 17, 2011, at the NCAA Division III Women's National Championship banquet in St. Louis, Mo., where the 2011 Division III AVCA Player of the Year will be announced. The NCAA Division III national quarterfinals begin Nov. 18.

Southwestern has had six players named to the NAIA/AVCA First Team All-America; Jeanne Bulle (1981), Alfie Vela (1981, 1982), Debbie Williamson (1984), Tela Lindsey (1986), Sheri Roberts (1987, 1988), Becky Wilson (1989).

The 2011 All-America selections were made by the AVCA Division III All-America Committee: Harleigh Chwastyk, Swarthmore, chairperson; Gina Chambers, Nebraska Wesleyan; Gregory Poole, Western Connecticut; Patti Ford, UW-River Falls; Hannah Long, Southwestern, Amber Warners, Calvin; Cal Wickens, Nazareth and Valerie Cowan, Pomona-Pitzer.