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Gophers, McCutcheon Garner AVCA All-Region Honors
12/10/2019 9:42:00 AM | Volleyball
The University of Minnesota volleyball program has garnered six all-region honors, announced today by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Alexis Hart, CC McGraw, Regan Pittman and Stephanie Samedy all were named AVCA All-North Region, while Taylor Morgan received honorable mention recognition. In addition, head coach Hugh McCutcheon was named North Region Coach of the Year.
Hart, a 6-foot senior outside hitter from Kansas City, Mo., received her fourth-straight all-region honor in her career. Hart currently ranks second on the team in kills (313), kills per set (3.01) and points (335). She's had 17 matches with double-digit kills and 14 matches in which she hit over .300. She was recently named All-Big Ten Second Team after she posted 207 kills and averaged 2.92 kills per set in league action. A four-year starter, the senior averages 3.17 kills per set and over 1,414 kills in her career.
McGraw, a 5-foot, 9-inch sophomore libero from Prior Lake, Minn., received her first all-region honor of her career. McGraw currently leads the Gophers in digs per set (4.12), digs (408) and aces (25). She also has 85 assists on the season. Recently named All-Big Ten First Team, she ranked third among Big Ten players in digs per set 4.23. In conference action alone, she ranked third in digs per set when she averaged 4.26 digs per set. Named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week twice this season, she's also established match-best 32 digs this season.
Pittman, a 6-foot, 5-inch redshirt junior middle blocker from Spring Hill, Kan., received her second all-region honor of her career. Pittman ranks first on the team in blocks (152), blocks per set (1.42) and hitting efficiency (3.55). Recently receiving All-Big Ten First Team honors, she ranks first among Big Ten players in blocks per set and ninth nationally at 1.41. In Big Ten action alone, she averaged 1.45 blocks per set and ranked second in conference only matches. She also was named Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Week twice this season.
Samedy, a 6-foot, 2-inch junior right side hitter from Clermont, Fla., received her third-straight all-region accolade. The six-rotation right side currently leads the Gophers in kills (324), kills per set (3.12), attempts (917) and points (395.5). She also ranks third on the team in aces (20) and digs (271). Named a All-Big Ten First Team, Samedy was a two-time Big Ten Player of the Week this season and also named the AVCA National Player of the Week. This season she has 10 double-doubles and led the Gophers in match kills 11 times.
Morgan, a 6-foot senior middle blocker received her second all-region honor. Morgan currently ranks second on the team in blocks (88) and blocks per set (1.31) and fifth in kills (132). Recently named All-Big Ten Second Team, she ranked fourth in Big Ten action in blocks per set (1.31) and seventh in hitting percentage (.351). During her senior year, Morgan has had 14 matches in which she hit over .350, including five over .500.
McCutcheon garnered his fourth Region Coach of the Year honor in eight seasons. Leading the Golden Gophers to a No. 7 seed in the NCAA Championships, it also marks the fifth-straight NCAA Regional Semifinal appearance. Dealing with constant lineup changes and injuries, Minnesota still maintained a 17-3 league record, which tied for second in the Big Ten standings. Minnesota enters the Sweet 16 with a 25-5 overall record, McCutcheon's seventh year of accomplishing 25 wins in a season.
Minnesota plays No. 10 seed Florida, Friday night at 5:30 p.m., CT and streamed on ESPN3. Also in the regional is No. 2 seed Texas and Louisville. Winners of both matches advance to the NCAA Regional Final, Saturday at 7 p.m., CT. That match is televised on ESPNU.
Hart, a 6-foot senior outside hitter from Kansas City, Mo., received her fourth-straight all-region honor in her career. Hart currently ranks second on the team in kills (313), kills per set (3.01) and points (335). She's had 17 matches with double-digit kills and 14 matches in which she hit over .300. She was recently named All-Big Ten Second Team after she posted 207 kills and averaged 2.92 kills per set in league action. A four-year starter, the senior averages 3.17 kills per set and over 1,414 kills in her career.
McGraw, a 5-foot, 9-inch sophomore libero from Prior Lake, Minn., received her first all-region honor of her career. McGraw currently leads the Gophers in digs per set (4.12), digs (408) and aces (25). She also has 85 assists on the season. Recently named All-Big Ten First Team, she ranked third among Big Ten players in digs per set 4.23. In conference action alone, she ranked third in digs per set when she averaged 4.26 digs per set. Named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week twice this season, she's also established match-best 32 digs this season.
Pittman, a 6-foot, 5-inch redshirt junior middle blocker from Spring Hill, Kan., received her second all-region honor of her career. Pittman ranks first on the team in blocks (152), blocks per set (1.42) and hitting efficiency (3.55). Recently receiving All-Big Ten First Team honors, she ranks first among Big Ten players in blocks per set and ninth nationally at 1.41. In Big Ten action alone, she averaged 1.45 blocks per set and ranked second in conference only matches. She also was named Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Week twice this season.
Samedy, a 6-foot, 2-inch junior right side hitter from Clermont, Fla., received her third-straight all-region accolade. The six-rotation right side currently leads the Gophers in kills (324), kills per set (3.12), attempts (917) and points (395.5). She also ranks third on the team in aces (20) and digs (271). Named a All-Big Ten First Team, Samedy was a two-time Big Ten Player of the Week this season and also named the AVCA National Player of the Week. This season she has 10 double-doubles and led the Gophers in match kills 11 times.
Morgan, a 6-foot senior middle blocker received her second all-region honor. Morgan currently ranks second on the team in blocks (88) and blocks per set (1.31) and fifth in kills (132). Recently named All-Big Ten Second Team, she ranked fourth in Big Ten action in blocks per set (1.31) and seventh in hitting percentage (.351). During her senior year, Morgan has had 14 matches in which she hit over .350, including five over .500.
McCutcheon garnered his fourth Region Coach of the Year honor in eight seasons. Leading the Golden Gophers to a No. 7 seed in the NCAA Championships, it also marks the fifth-straight NCAA Regional Semifinal appearance. Dealing with constant lineup changes and injuries, Minnesota still maintained a 17-3 league record, which tied for second in the Big Ten standings. Minnesota enters the Sweet 16 with a 25-5 overall record, McCutcheon's seventh year of accomplishing 25 wins in a season.
Minnesota plays No. 10 seed Florida, Friday night at 5:30 p.m., CT and streamed on ESPN3. Also in the regional is No. 2 seed Texas and Louisville. Winners of both matches advance to the NCAA Regional Final, Saturday at 7 p.m., CT. That match is televised on ESPNU.
Highlights: Gophers 3, Iowa 0
Sunday, November 16
Highlights: Gophers 3, Penn State 0
Friday, November 14
Highlights: Gophers 0, Nebraska 3
Saturday, November 08
Highlights: Gophers 1, Wisconsin 3
Wednesday, November 05