LEXINGTON, Ky. by Steve Sommer – The American Volleyball Coaches Association announced its All-America team on Dec. 16, with Kentucky senior setter Morgan Bergren and SEC Libero of the Year Ashley Dusek both being named AVCA All-America honorable mentions.
The distinction marks Bergren’s second time earning All-America honors, while Dusek’s is her first.
With Bergren and Dusek’s All-America honors, 11th-year head coach Craig Skinner has produced 21 All-America selections, in addition to five of the last six SEC Libero of the Year award winners and 11 consecutive SEC All-Freshman selections.
“I’m really excited for Ashley and Morgan,” Skinner said. “They’re both deserving of the recognition. I feel that all three of our All-Region selections were deserving, with Kaz [Brown] ranking third in the country in blocking, but nonetheless we are excited for the program. Both Ashley and Morgan work incredibly hard every day to better themselves and our program.”
Bergren averaged 10.45 assists per set over the season, with 1,160 total assists during 2015. With 35 assists against LSU on Nov. 1, she eclipsed the 3,500 career assists mark – only the fifth Wildcat to ever do so. She moved into fourth place on the all-time career assists leaderboard following the match at LSU on Nov. 22, and completed her collegiate career with 3,814 assists. Bergren also led all Southeastern conference setters in blocks per set with 0.91 this season. Bergren was named to the All-SEC team for the second time in her career, along with being named SEC Player of the Week and Setter of the Week once.
The 2015 SEC Libero of the Year, Dusek led the SEC in digs from wire-to-wire, averaging 5.05 per set. Her season was highlighted by a 40-dig performance at Auburn, breaking a 22-year-old UK record for most digs in a single match. Her 40 digs was also the most in a single match for any player in the SEC this year, and the only 40-dig performance from a Power Five institution. Only four other Division I players were able to achieve the feat. Dusek was a model for consistency over the regular season, only registering two matches during the regular season with less than 10 digs. The sophomore only conceded 11 service aces as well. Dusek’s accomplishments include SEC Libero of the Year, All-SEC team, SEC Player of the Week once and SEC Defensive Player of the Week twice.
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