Bergren, Brown and Dusek Named AVCA All-Region

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The American Volleyball Coaches Association announced its All-Region teams on Tuesday morning, with senior Morgan Bergren and sophomores Kaz Brown and Ashley Dusek each on the 14-player Southeast Region list.

The distinction marks Bergren’s second time being named to the All-Region team, while Brown and Dusek reel in the All-Region honors for the first time in their careers. With the three being acknowledged, 11th-season head coach Craig Skinner has helped the Wildcats to 27 All-Region awards.

“All three are very deserving,” Skinner said. “They put the time and effort into their games to have great seasons individually and all three would do whatever it takes to help our team be successful.”

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. 

Brown had a phenomenal sophomore season, finishing the regular season second in the nation in blocks per set (1.63) and third in total blocks (178). With 160 block assists this season, she ranks second in single-season block assists for Kentucky all-time, while claiming the most blocks ever by a UK player in a single season during the 25-point rally scoring era. Brown earned multiple accolades over the season, being named to the All-SEC team, Player of the Week once, twice the SEC Defensive Player of the Week and MVP of the Bluegrass Battle. 

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. 

Kentucky’s Memorial Coliseum will play host to the NCAA Regionals Dec. 11-12. UK is one of four sites selected for the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight matchups with one team advancing to the Final Four in Omaha, Neb., from the Lexington Region. This marks the third time in five seasons Memorial Coliseum will host this premier volleyball event. For more information, head to the Lexington Regional site. Tickets are available here.