Melissa Vanderhall Leads Group Of Three Spartan All-Americans

LEXINGTON, Ky. - A group of three University of Tampa student-athletes were among the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Americans. Meghan Sherman and Melissa Vanderhall were on the first team as Kaleigh Cunningham made the second team of the 29th annual AVCA All-America teams for NCAA Division II women's volleyball.

Sherman, a 5-10 setter, is a junior from Ponte Verda, Fla. Ranked first in the Sunshine State Conference and in the top-five nationally in assists per set, Sherman helped the Spartans to the country's best team hitting percentage. An all-SSC second-team honoree, Sherman is earning her first AVCA All-America nod.

Vanderhall, a 5-9 outside hitter, is a junior from Hempstead, N.Y. Vanderhall, who earned SSC Player of the Year accolades for the second consecutive season, as well as all-SSC first-team honors, ranked among the nation's best in hitting percentage and kills per set. This is second-straight AVCA First-Team All-America award for Vanderhall.

Cunningham, a 5-10 outside hitter, is a junior from Winter Park, Fla. Ranked among the SSC leaders in kills and hitting percentage, Cunningham was tabbed an all-SSC first-team selection en route to leading the Spartans to the NCAA Division II South Region Championship. This is Cunningham's first AVCA All-America award.

2009 AVCA DIVISION II FIRST-TEAM ALL-AMERICA
Pamela Cartagena, Pittsburg State
Jane Chafeh, California State San Bernardino
Elaine Chen, California, San Diego
Sara Hoffman, California State San Bernardino
Maggie McNamara, Concordia, St. Paul
Cheneta Morrison, Indianapolis
Alyssa Nelson, Minnesota-Duluth
Emily Palkert, Concordia, St. Paul
Laura Prinsen, West Texas A&M
Sylvia Schmidt, California, San Diego
Nikki Scott, Nebraska Kearney
Meghan Sherman, Tampa
Mary Slinger, Concordia, St. Paul
Melissa Vanderhall, Tampa

2009 AVCA DIVISION II SECOND-TEAM ALL-AMERICA
Emily Calderon-Reyes, Saint Leo
Megan Carlson, Concordia, St. Paul
Kaleigh Cunningham, Tampa
Melissa Harper, West Texas A&M
Jennifer Hefner, Wayne State (Neb.)
Sadie Kessler, Concordia, St. Paul
Kaitlin McKenna, Saint Leo
Samantha Middleborn, California State San Bernardino
Caitlin Pankratz, Central Missouri
Katie Rickwartz, West Texas A&M
Stephanie Sagat, Lewis
Arica Shepard, Emporia State
Makenzie Snyder, California State Chico
Ellen Thommes, Nebraska Omaha

2009 AVCA DIVISION II THIRD-TEAM ALL-AMERICA
Lydee Benoit, Eckerd
Devon Crotteau, Montana State Billings
Ashlee Crowder, Hillsdale
Renata da Silva, California Pennsylvania
Devin Diedrich, Southwest Minnesota State
Stormi Gale, Wingate
Patricia Gandolfo, West Florida
Kate Hampson, Washburn
Alison Jacobs, North Alabama
Bri Morley, Metropolitan State
Michelle Nogueras, Saint Leo
Keala Peterson, Sonoma State
Maja Potpara, Dowling
Kyleigh Turner, Indianapolis

2009 AVCA Division II Freshman of the Year: Megan Sharpe, Truman State
2009 AVCA Division II Player of the Year: announced December 3, 2009 at the NCAA Division II Championship Banquet

2009 AVCA Division II Honorable Mention All-America
Katie Beale, Flagler
Amanda Beekman, Minnesota State
Lauren Billo, Wingate
Julia Borecka, Florida Southern
Roxanne Brunsting, UC San Diego
Lyndsay Callahan, Indianapolis
Gabe Curtis, Metro State
Rachel Fister, Central Missouri
Xuan Gao, Lock Haven
Kait Harris, Saginaw Valley State
Allie Huffman, Central Missouri
Eleena Iisakka, Minnesota-Duluth
Whitney Justice, Lees-McRae
Taylor Krenwinkle, Sonoma State
Mollie Lacey, Washburn
Clara Leutheuser, Hillsdale
Maggie Malone, Wingate
Sara Mamalov, New Haven
Terry Masava, Bridgeport
Joanna Nist, California (Pa.)
Carly Perschnick, Nova Southeastern
Valia Petrova, Nova Southeastern
Rebeccah Rapin, Grand Valley State
Lacy Redwine, Lynn
Sarah Roberts, North Alabama
Rachel Ruedi, Lewis
Calli Scott, Alaska-Anchorage
Fabiane Seben, Hawai'i-Hilo
Megan Sharpe, Truman State
Brittany Stamer, Minnesota State
Corrine Stringer, Pittsburg State
Katie Swenson, Hawai'i-Hilo
Brandie Vea, Central Washington