Three Named All-America, Edmond on Third Team
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky volleyball players Leah Edmond,
Ashley Dusek and Olivia Dailey earned All-America distinction as announced by
the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) on Wednesday. Edmond was
named to the All-America third team, becoming the 11th player in program
history to earn first, second or third team accolades.
“This honor shows the great respect for Leah’s season, her
ability and her impact on Kentucky volleyball this year,” head coach Craig
skinner said. “We’re proud of her accomplishments and look forward to the
future.”
Along with Edmond, Dusek and Dailey were named All-America
Honorable Mention honorees. Three players in total earned All-America honors,
and only once has UK put more players on the All-America list.
“All of these players had tremendous years physically and
statistically,” Skinner added. “They gave their all to make this program great
and we’re happy for the recognition.”
Dailey, Dusek and Edmond were all named All-Southeastern
Conference and AVCA All-Southeast Region. Joining the trio on both squads was
junior Kaz Brown.
“Kaz Brown, an All-Region honoree, is one of the most
talented and impactful middle blockers in the country,” Skinner remarked. “I am
disappointed she was left off the All-America list.”
Edmond added the All-America honor to her impressive list of
awards she has already racked up as a freshman. The Lexington, Kentucky, native
was the AVCA All-Region Freshman of the Year and SEC Freshman of the Year.
During the season, she earned SEC Freshman of the Week eight times and SEC
Player of the Week twice.
The freshman finished the year ranking second in the
conference in kills per set at 4.25 and was the third-best freshman in the
nation in that category. She finished with 450 kills during the season, which
was the second-highest season total from a Wildcat during the 25-point rally
scoring era. A prolific scorer, she hit the 20-kill mark five times during the
season, including the win over Colorado State in the NCAA Tournament. Edmond
was all over the floor as well, as she recorded a team-best eight
double-doubles this season. She averaged 1.92 digs per set, and hit
double-digit scoops nine times.
Dusek took home her second All-America Honorable Mention
award of her career and was also named SEC Libero of the Year. Teams worked
around Dusek this season, but she still managed to average 4.78 digs per set,
good for second in the SEC. Her numbers improved in league play at 5.02 scoops
per frame. Her season high was 31 against Ole Miss on Nov. 13, which tied for
the highest dig total in the SEC this season. She was recognized for her play
on the court and her classroom work with a CoSIDA Academic All-District
selection. Dusek became the fifth player under Skinner to total 1,000 or more
career digs when she achieved the feat this season. The East Bernard, Texas,
native logged 10 or more digs in all but three matches this season. Dusek was
also a member of the preseason All-SEC team, a two-time SEC Defensive Player of
the Week and also an SEC Player of the Week.
Dailey earned her first career All-America nod after being a
catalyst for a team that was 20th in the nation in kills per set at 14.23.
Dailey helped the squad after finishing fourth in the country in assists per
set at 11.78. The Trussville, Alabama, native sits tied for sixth in the
single-season 25-point rally era record book with 1,202 helpers, and recently
became just the fourth players during the rally scoring era to record 60 or
more helpers. Dailey has six double-doubles this season, and produced 47
assists and 12 scoops in the NCAA Tournament win over Colorado State. She has
been named SEC Setter of the Week five times this season, SEC Offensive Player
of the Week once and FloVolleyball National Player of the Week during the 2016
campaign.
UK players have earned a total of 30 All-America honors in
program history, and a member of the Wildcats have made the list every season
since 2007. All but six of UK’s All-America honors have come under Skinner.
More information on the AVCA All-America teams can be found
here.
