Four Wayne State volleyball players were named to the AAmerican Volleyball Coaches Association Division II All-America Team that was announced Wednesday.
Taya Beller and Maggie Brahmer were both named First Team, Kelsie Cada earned Second Team All-American honors while Rachel Walker was All-American honorable mention.
Beller, a 6-foot-2 junior middle hitter, was named AVCA All-American First Team for a second straight season after leading the NSIC in blocks this season (1.15 per set). She was also second in the league in hitting percentage (.390) and points per set (4.43) and fifth in kills per set (3.54). Beller was named NSIC Offensive Player of the Week three times this season and was voted to the Central Region All-Tournament Team following a career-high 22 kills in last Friday's 3-2 regional semifinal win over No. 13 Nebraska-Kearney.
Other post-season honors for Beller this year include AVCA All-Central Region First Team for a second straight year, All-NSIC First Team for a third straight season and D2CCA All-Central Region First Team for a second straight season.
Brahmer, a 6-foot junior middle hitter, is also a repeat AVCA All-American First Team selection after hitting an NSIC-leading .409 this season that ranks ninth in NCAA Division II. This season, she recorded 3.40 kills and 1.07 blocks per set to rank fourth in the league in blocks and eighth in kills along with fifth in points per set (4.04). Brahmer was a three-time NSIC Player of the Week this season and was named AVCA/GameChanger National Player of the Week Oct. 3. She is now a three-time All-NSIC First Team selection along with two-time AVCA and D2CCA All-Central Region First Team honoree and was voted to the Central Region All-Tournament Team.
Cada, a 6-foot senior outside hitter, received AVCA All-America Second Team honors after named All-American honorable mention last season. This season Cada has eight double-doubles while averaging 3.44 kills and 2.64 digs per set to go with a team-high 49 service aces. She is tied for fifth in the league in service aces per set (0.43), fifth in points per set (4.07) and seventh in kills per set.
Earlier this season Cada became the eighth player in school history to record 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs at WSC. She is a two-time AVCA All-Central Region First Team selection, named D2CCA All-Central Region Second Team this year and was voted All-NSIC First Team for a second straight season along with the Central Region All-Tournament Team.
Walker, a 5-foot-9 senior setter, was named AVCA All-America honorable mention after ranking third in the NSIC this season with 11.02 assists per set. She led the Wildcats this season with 12 double-doubles and currently ranks second in all-time assists at Wayne State with 4,642.
