December 10, 2003
Texas A&M's Melissa Munsch has been named to the All-Central Region Team and Laura Jones received honorable mention, the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced today.
Munsch, a junior middle blocker, is making her first appearance on the team and will now be considered for All-America honors, which will be announced Dec. 17 at the NCAA Championship in Dallas.
Earlier this season, the Columbus, Texas, native was named to the all-Big 12 first team for the second consecutive year. She also garnered Big 12 Player of the Week honors (Nov. 17) and was named to the all-tournament teams at the season-opening Duke Invitational and at the Michigan Pepsi Challenge.
A&M's top all-around player, Munsch leads the 17th-ranked and NCAA Sweet Sixteen-bound Aggies in kills (3.73) aces (0.38) and points (.4.69) per game and is second among the starters with a .295 hitting percentage and 1.06 blocks per game for the full season. In addition, she ranks third on the squad with 2.91 digs per game.
Munsch recorded the first two triple-doubles of her career and the Aggies' only two of the season, posting double figures in kills, digs and blocks against both Southwest Missouri State and Texas Tech. She also has recorded a team-leading 17 double-double performances and has led the squad in points in a team-high 16 matches. In addition, Munsch has earned team-high honors in kills in 15 matches and in blocks in 15 matches to tie for the team lead in each category.
Jones, a sophomore outside hitter, also has received numerous honors throughout the season. The Arlington, Texas, native garnered all-Big 12 honorable mention and was named to the all-tournament team in every tournament A&M participated in this season. In addition, Jones was named the Big 12 Player of the Week after earning MVP honors at the Duke Invitational.
Jones, who is the only A&M player to start every match this season, has posted 20 or more kills in a team-high five matches and recorded A&M's only 20-kill, 20-dig performance of the season with career highs of 29 kills and 23 digs in a five-game victory over Southwest Missouri State. She is second on the team with 3.72 kills, 2.97 digs, 0.22 aces and 4.31 points per game.
Munsch and Jones return to the court Friday when they lead the No. 16-seed Aggies against top-seeded USC in an NCAA regional semifinal match. Start time is 4:30 p.m. at Nebraska Coliseum in Lincoln, Neb. Free live video, audio and scoring will be available at AggieAthletics.com.
The following is the complete 2003 AVCA All-Central Region Volleyball Team:
Name School Pos. Cl.
Jill Arganbright ** University of Northern Iowa S Sr.
Melissa Elmer University of Nebraska MB So.
Monique Gerlach ** University of Colorado MB Sr.
Lauren Goehring Kansas State MB Sr.
Gabby Guerre Kansas State S Jr.
Bethany Howden University of Texas OH Jr.
Josi Lima University of Kansas MB So.
Melissa Munsch Texas A&M University MB Jr.
Molly O'Brien *** University of Northern Iowa MB Sr.
Jennifer Saleaumua University of Nebraska OH So.
Mira Topic ** University of Texas OH Jr.
Linette White Southwest Missouri State MB Sr.
Region Freshman of the Year: Jessica Vander Kooi, Missouri, RS/Opp
Honorable Mention: Chenille Bayless (Southwest Missouri State, S, Sr.), Shen Danru (Missouri, OH, So.), Laura Downey-Wallace (Kansas State, DS/Lib, Sr.), Lindsey Hunter (Missouri, S, So.), Laura Jones (Texas A&M, OH, So.), Rachael Tink (Northern Iowa, OH, So.)