NEW YORK-- Ten players from four BIG EAST institutions were placed on the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Region Teams. Creighton senior Madelyn Cole was honored as the East Region Player of the Year.
In the East Coast Region, Barber was selected to the first team, along with teammates Martha Konovodoff and Hope Werch. Barber earns her third recognition while Konovodoff was named to the East Coast first team for the second-consecutive season. Werch picks up her first AVCA All-Region accolade in 2019. Also on the first team is St. John's sophomore Efrosini Alexakou, who was named East Region Freshman of the Year in 2018. St. John's senior setter Erica Di Maulo earns first team honors after two honorable mention nods in 2017 and 2018. Villanova senior Allie Olsonoski garnered honorable mention honors for the first time in her career.
The BIG EAST placed four student-athletes on the East Region list, all reigning from Creighton. Senior setter Madelyn Cole headlines the group as the East Region Player of the Year. Cole and classmate Brittany Witt were selected to the first team for the second time in their careers. Senior Megan Ballenger and freshman Keeley Davis were both recognized on the East Region First Team for the first time. Davis is one of just two freshman recognized on the first team.
2019 AVCA Division I Regional Awards
East Coast Region
First Team
Allie Barber, Marquette, OH, Sr. ***
Martha Konovodoff, Marquette, L, Jr.**
Hope Werch, Marquette, OH, Jr.
Erica Di Maulo, St. John's, S, Sr.
Efrosini Alexakou, St. John's, OH, So.
Honorable Mention
Allie Olsonoski, Villanova, MB, Sr.
East Region
Player of the Year: Madelyn Cole, Creighton
First Team
Megan Ballenger, Creighton, MB, Sr.
Madelyn Cole, Creighton, S, Sr. **
Keeley Davis, Creighton, OH, Fr.
Brittany Witt, Creighton, L, Sr. **
* - denotes total number of years selected to the AVCA Division I All-Region Team