Drushal an AVCA Third-Team All-American, Riley Honorable Mention

2008 AVCA Div. III All-American Teams

The College of Wooster's senior libero, Ali Drushal (Lakeville, Ohio / West Holmes), earned a third-team All-American award from the American Volleyball Coaches Association Tuesday, while junior teammate KateLynn Riley (Westlake, Ohio / Westlake) collected honorable mention status as a result of being part of the All-Great Lakes Region First Team, announced last week. The AVCA All-America Team is comprised of three 14-member teams, in addition to 70 honorable mention recipients.

"I am thrilled that the other coaches in the country have recognized what we have known at Wooster for awhile," stated second-year head coach Sarah Davis. "These two women are very special student-athletes and outstanding volleyball players."

Drushal, also the North Coast Athletic Conference Libero of the Year and first-team all-NCAC honoree, averaged 6.55 digs per set, despite the opposition attempting to hit away from her on a regular basis. That number ranks seventh in the most recent NCAA Div. III national statistics and puts her atop the league. In addition to totaling 734 digs this season, including a high of 45 during a key 3-2 win over Allegheny College on Sept. 23, the 5-3 senior defensive specialist chipped in 20 service aces and 54 assists while compiling a .956 receiving percentage.

For her career, Drushal racked up a conference-record 3,043 digs, which also makes her just one of 10 in NCAA volleyball history (all divisions) to reach the 3,000 milestone. Drushal, a standout for Wooster's track & field team as well, was the NCAC Libero of the Year each of the last three seasons, highlighted by back-to-back first-team all-conference status and a Div. III-leading 874 digs in 2007.

"Becoming an All-American is one of the only awards Ali had left to accomplish throughout her stellar four-year career," Davis added. "I couldn't be happier for her, her family, and all the hard work she's put into volleyball. It is a fantastic way for her to end an amazing volleyball career (here)."

Riley, who also joined Drushal on the All-NCAC First Team, was a force both offensively and defensively for the Fighting Scots. The 5-9 junior hitting specialist is currently 29th in Div. III in kills per set at 3.85, which led all players in the conference. Riley, who accumulated a .328 hitting percentage while tallying double-digit kills in 28 of 32 matches, topped the NCAC in points per set (4.94), total service aces (50), and total blocks (113) as well.

Headed into her senior season, Riley has registered 1,076 career kills – already making her one of just six in team history to have hit 1,000 – on a .258 hitting percentage, in addition to totals of 82 service aces, 340 digs, and 217 blocks. She's on pace to finish second at Wooster in kills and fifth in blocks.

"KateLynn has matured so much as a player over the last year," remarked Davis. "She has learned to read the game and see the opponent's floor, which has helped her become a smart hitter and an outstanding blocker to add to her powerful offensive abilities."

The Scots went 20-13 this fall, including a 13-3 NCAC record, good for second-place, which marked the program's highest conference finish since 1985.