November 28, 2004
Texas A&M middle blocker Melissa Munsch was named Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year and also was named to All-Big 12 first team along with Aggie outside hitter Laura Jones, the conference office announced today.
Munsch, who led the Aggies in blocks (1.56) and digs (3.11) per game in conference matches, becomes the first A&M player to be recognized as Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. She shares the honor with Jennifer Saleaumua of Nebraska.
Munsch, who is making her third consecutive appearance on the All-Big 12 first team, also led the Aggies in aces, setting A&M records with 36 aces and 0.51 aces per game in Big 12 matches. In addition, the senior ranked second on the team in kills (3.83) and points (5.18) per game and set a school record with 102 block assists in conference games as A&M tied Missouri for third place in the Big 12 with a 14-6 mark.
Earlier this season, the Columbus, Texas, native was named to the all-tournament teams at the McDonald's/Texas A&M Invitational and at the Golden Bear Invitational and also was named to the Academic All-Big 12 second team.
Jones, who received All-Big 12 honorable mention last year, set school records for total kills (358) and points (403.5) in Big 12 matches, as well as kills (4.84) and points (5.45) per game in league play.
The junior from Arlington, Texas, became the first player in A&M history to be named National Player of the Week by the American Volleyball Coaches Association after leading the Aggies to a 3-1 upset over No. 9 Texas. Jones tallied a season-high 27 kills while hitting .333 and also added 20 digs, five blocks and a school-record 32 points in the victory.
Jones was twice named Big 12 Player of the Week and also earned all-tournament team honors at both the McDonald's/Texas A&M Invitational and at the Golden Bear Invitational. In addition, Jones was named to the Academic All-Big 12 second team.
Texas' Mira Topic was named Player of the Year, and head coach Jerritt Elliott was chosen Coach of the Year after directing Texas to a second-place finish. The Longhorns' Dariam Acevedo was voted Newcomer of the Year, and Nebraska's Sarah Pavan was named Freshman of the Year, while Kansas State's Angie Lastra earned Libero of the Year laurels.
The following is the complete 2004 all-Big 12 Conference Volleyball Team:
Name, School
Melissa Elmer, Nebraska
Allie Griffin, Colorado
Gabby Guerre, Kansas State
Valeria Hejjas, Kansas State
Bethany Howden, Texas
Lindsey Hunter, Missouri
Laura Jones, Texas A&M
Josiane Lima, Kansas
Melissa Munsch, Texas A&M
Sarah Pavan, Nebraska
Jennifer Saleaumua, Nebraska
Mira Topic, Texas
Jessica Vander Kooi, Missouri
*Team of 13 due to a tie in voting.
HONORABLE MENTION
Name, School
Shen Danru, Missouri
Desiree Guilliard-Young, Baylor
Kelly Johnson, Texas Tech
Brandy Magee, Texas
Lisa Martin, Kansas State
Michelle Moriarty, Texas
Ashley Nu'u, Colorado
Coach of the Year: Jerritt Elliott, Texas
Players of the Year: Mira Topic, Texas
Newcomer of the Year: Dariam Acevedo, Texas
Freshman of the Year: Sarah Pavan, Nebraska
Co-Defensive Players of the Year: Melissa Munsch, Texas A&M and Jennifer Saleaumua, Nebraska
Libero of the Year: Angie Lastra, Kansas State