Carlson and Stankus Earn All-America Honorable Mention Recognition

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, November 13, 2007

La Crosse, Wis. – University of Wisconsin-La Crosse senior outside hitter Katelyn Carlson of Rochester, Minn. (Mayo) and sophomore rightside hitter Brianne Stankus of Burlington (H.S.) have been named to the 2007 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-America Honorable Mention Team. It is the first career All-America honor for both players.

Carlson and Stankus were both named to the 2007 AVCA All-Midwest Region Team and selected to the 2007 All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) First Team.

Carlson led UW-L with 477 kills this season, an average of 3.76 per game. Her 477 kills is fifth in single-season school history while her 1,465 attempts this year ranks second. Carlson recorded double-digit kills in 27 of 34 matches this season, including a career-high 27 in a 3-2 UW-L win over number one ranked Juniata College (Pa.) October 12. She also had 22 digs against Juniata and 22 in a 3-2 victory over Loras College (Iowa) September 29. Carlson had 25 kills and a career-high 37 digs in UW-L’s 3-2 win over UW-Eau Claire in the WIAC Tournament Third-Place Match November 3.

Carlson ranks third in the WIAC in kills per game and fourth in points per game (4.18). Points are awarded for kills, service aces, block solos and block assists. Carlson was named to the Simpson College (Iowa) All-Tournament Team earlier this season and was named the WIAC Athlete of the Week September 30. She ranks fifth in school history in career kills (1,072) and fourth in career attempts (3,328).

Stankus was second on the team with 417 kills this year, averaging 3.26 per game. The 417 kills is tied for 11th in single-season school history. She ranks seventh in the conference in hitting percentage (.275) this year while being 10th in kills per game and points (3.88). Stankus, who was named to the UW-L Invite I and II as well as the Simpson College All-Tournament Team this season, is 14th in the league in aces per game (0.34).

A 2006 All-WIAC Honorable Mention selection, Stankus has 24 matches this year with double-digit kills, including a season-high 20 versus UW-River Falls. She has 24 matches with at least 10 digs, including a career-high 24 against the University of St. Thomas (Minn.). Stankus had a career-high 8.0 blocks at UW-Superior. She has set career-highs in kills (417), attempts (1,133), digs (394) and aces (43) this year.

UW-L finished 24-10 this season and made its 11th appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament, falling 3-1 to Calvin College (Mich.) in the regional quarterfinals. The Eagles have recorded at least 20 victories in 13 straight seasons.