Reynolds, Moroney, Gearhart earn All-American Honors
LEXINGTON, KY – Following a season full of success and growth, three Juniata women’s volleyball athletes were named AVCA All-Americans and received one honorable mention Tuesday afternoon.
LEXINGTON, KY – Following a season full of success and growth, three Juniata women's volleyball athletes were named AVCA All-Americans and received one honorable mention Tuesday afternoon.
Junior setter Kelly Reynolds (Upper Saint Clair, PA / Upper Saint Clair) earned her first First Team All-America honors with 1,229 assists on the season, an 11.07 assists per set average, 39 service aces and 32 total blocks. She was named the Landmark Conference's Player of the Year and picked to the First Team All-Landmark. Reynolds ranks eighth all-time in career assists for Juniata at 3,380. Her communication and effort centered the Eagles' offense throughout the season and helped the team to a 33-3 overall record and an appearance in the NCAA Division III Regional Championship. This is Juniata's 45th AVCA First-Team honor.
Two of Reynolds' powerhouse options to set up also joined her with All-American honors.
Sophomore middle Megan Moroney (Mentor, OH/ Mentor) was named to the Second Team All-America. Moroney shattered her statistics from her freshman season and became a true leader on the court for Juniata. She totaled 329 kills on the season, averaged 2.94 kills per set, finished with a .367 hitting percentage, 22 service aces, 46 digs, 21 solo blocks and 72 block assists. Moroney was named to the First Team All-Landmark and received Athlete of the Week honors following her impressive play at the Leopard Invitational. She also was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District team.
Junior middle Nakita Gearhart (Waynesboro, PA / Greencastle-Antrim) was named to the Third Team All-America. The captain continues to be a dominating force on the court for the Eagles. She was named Landmark Tournament MVP for leading Juniata to their ninth straight conference title in 2015 on 20 kills, a .366 hitting percentage and two block assists. Gearhart finished the season with 286 kills, a 2.60 kills per set average, a .323 hitting percentage, 18 service aces, 73 digs, 11 solo blocks and 68 block assists. She received Landmark Athlete of the Week honors following the Wittenberg Invitational in week one.
Freshman Katie Byrne (Annapolis, MD / Broadneck) received honorable mention honors in her debut season with Juniata. Byrne notched 69 assists, 46 service aces, 538 digs and averaged 4.45 digs per set this season. She was recognized as Rookie of the Year by the Landmark Conference and Regional Freshman of the Year by the AVCA. Byrne also earned Second Team All-Landmark honors.
With Reynolds', Moroney's and Gearhart's honors, Juniata has now had 42 players recognized as All-Americans. The awards will be presented Nov. 18 at the NCAA Division III Women's National Championship banquet at Calvin College.