December 15, 2004
Texas A&M's Laura Jones has been named to the 2004 American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America second team and Aggie Melissa Munsch was named to the third team, the AVCA announced today.
It marks the first time two players from A&M have garnered All-America honors in the same year.
"What an incredible tribute to have both of them selected as All-Americans," A&M coach Laurie Corbelli said. "Even though our opponents focused on stopping Laura and Melissa every match, they couldn't contain them both and the two consistently led us in nearly every statistical category. With their all-around skills and determination, Laura and Melissa provided our foundation on both offense and defense and are the major reasons for our recent success. I am extremely proud of them."
Munsch, a senior middle blocker, is receiving her second All-America citation after earning second-team honors last season. She joins former A&M standout and Olympian Stacy Sykora, a member of the All-America second team in 1997 and 1998, and A&M Athletic Hall of Fame member Sherri Brinkman, a second-team All-American in 1984 and 1985, as the only players from A&M to twice earn All-America laurels during their careers.
Jones, a junior outside hitter, becomes the sixth Aggie to receive All-America distinction from the AVCA since the first All-America team was named in 1981.
Jones and Munsch will be presented their awards at the AVCA All-America/Player of the Year Banquet in Long Beach on Friday in conjunction with the NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship. With the receipt of the awards, A&M's total AVCA All-America certificates increases to nine, including seven in the last eight years.
Jones led the Aggies and set school records with 4.94 kills and 5.6 points per game for the full season after leading A&M to the second round of the NCAA Championship and a 19-9 overall record. The Arlington, Texas, native also set numerous A&M records in Big 12 matches only, including total kills (358), as well as per game averages for kills (4.84) and points (5.45) as the Aggies tied Missouri for third place in the league with a 14-6 mark. In addition, Jones set an A&M NCAA tournament record with a career-high 30 kills in the second-round match against No. 10 Tennessee.
"Laura sets as high of goals for herself as she possibly can, and she is one of the greatest competitors I have ever had in my program," Corbelli said. "Every match, we get to see her fight and desire to win. She is a fantastic competitor."
The only A&M player to start every match and play in every game this season, Jones led the team in kills in 21 matches, including 11 matches in which she tallied 20 or more kills. Jones also led the Aggies in points in a team-leading 19 matches.
"Laura is responsible for the largest offensive output for our team and has been a huge reason for our success, not only in the Big 12 but in the NCAAs," Corbelli said. "She is a primary passer and defensive player, and she has the qualities and all-around skills of an elite volleyball player. It is a huge accomplishment, and she is very deserving of being named an All-American."
Jones, who received all-region honorable mention as a sophomore and was named to the all-region team as a freshman, was a two-time Big 12 Player of the Week this season and became the first player in A&M history to be named AVCA National Player of the Week after leading the Aggies with 27 kills, 20 digs and a .333 hitting percentage in a 3-1 upset over No. 9 Texas.
"Next season Laura will the focal point of our offense and possibly our defense," Corbelli said. "She will have more experience on the court than anyone on our team, and I'm sure she will be shooting for A&M to go higher in the Big 12 and deeper in the NCAA tournament than ever before and to go out strong.
"This is a great honor for her, and she was really thrilled when I called her. I'm sure this propels her in her work every day to achieve an even higher award."
Munsch led the Aggies in blocks (1.66), digs (3.07) and aces (.44) per game and was second on the team with a .307 hitting efficiency. Her 102 block assists ranks second in the A&M all-time season records, and the four-year starter completed her stellar career ranked in the top five in the Aggie career records for points, aces, kills, block assists and attempts and listed in the top seven for total blocks and digs.
"Melissa is the most well-rounded and complete player I have ever coached, and other coaches have commented on how she is one their favorite players," Corbelli said.
Munsch, who made her third consecutive appearance on the All-Big 12 first team this season, was named the 2004 Co-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first A&M player to receive the honor. The Columbus, Texas, native recorded a nation-leading three triple-doubles when considering players who posted double figures in kills, digs and blocks in a single match. She led the Aggies in blocks in 21 matches and in digs in 12 matches.
"She had a solid year, and her blocking definitely stood out," Corbelli said. "Plus, so many middle blockers leave the back row and don't play defense, and for her to be named Defensive Player of the Year in the Big 12, to be a primary passer and to lead the team in blocks, digs and aces, she is going to be so sorely missed."
Earlier this season, both Munsch and Jones were named to the all-region team, the All-Big 12 first team and the Academic All-Big 12 second team and also were named to the all-tournament teams at both the McDonald's/Texas A&M Invitational and at the Golden Bear earlier this year.
Eight players from the Big 12 were named to one of the three 12-member All-America teams. Melissa Elmer and Sarah Pavan of Nebraska and Mira Topic of Texas were named to the first team. Joining Jones on the second team are Lindsey Hunter of Missouri, Jennifer Saleaumua of Nebraska and Bethany Howden of Texas. Munsch is the only Big 12 player on the third team. In addition, Pavan was named AVCA Freshman of the Year.
The All-America selections were made by the AVCA Division I All-America Committee: Sharon Dingman (chair), Illinois State; Janice Kruger, Maryland; Pi'I Aiu, Colorado; Rich Feller, California; Burt Fuller, Utah State; Judy Green, Alabama; Jill Hirschinger, New Hampshire; Nancy Mueller, Illinois-Chicago; and Mark Rosen, Michigan.
2004 AVCA Division I All-Americans
History of Texas A&M All-Americans
- (6 players/9 certificates)
- Sherri Brinkman (2nd-1985, 2nd-1984)
- Laura Jones (2nd-2004)
- Jenna Moscovic (1st-2001)
- Melissa Munsch (2nd-2003, 3rd-2004)
- Stacy Sykora (2nd-1998, 2nd-1997)
- Amber Woolsey (1st-1999)