BURNABY, B.C. --
Brooke Dexter and
Julia Tays continue to make history for the Simon Fraser volleyball program.
Both players earned All-America recognition from the American Volleyball Coaches Association as the organization announced its 40th annual All-America teams for NCAA Division II women's volleyball today.
Dexter, a freshman opposite from Anchorage, Alaska, was selected to the third team after an outstanding rookie season. Tays, a senior setter from Winnipeg, wrapped up her university career by being named an Honorable Mention All-American.
"It is always an honour to see our players earn national recognition," said SFU head coach
Gina Schmidt, whose team went 17-9 this season, culminating with an NCAA tournament appearance. "These awards demonstrate the quality of athletes we have in our program. To earn this recognition as a freshman is no small feat but Brooke had an incredible season, capped off with another strong performance in the regionals. Julia also had an outstanding senior season. One of her strengths is the ability to set the right-side from almost anywhere on the court so the two of them were a potent combination all season long."
Dexter averaged 4.15 kills per set, which ranks her No. 12 in Division II in that category. Dexter also is 12th nationally in points per set, averaging 4.69 on the year, and she closed the season with three-straight double-doubles.
Tays recorded 11.10 assists per set during the 2021 campaign, currently 12th-best in Division II. In total, Tays distributed 1,010 assists in 91 sets for SFU. She is also the school's NCAA-era career assists leader.
Dexter and Tays join Alison McKay and
Tessa May as SFU players who have merited AVCA national recognition since the program joined the NCAA in 2010.
McKay, a libero, was a third-team AVCA All-American in 2016. Middle blocker May, who is currently an assistant coach with SFU, was twice an AVCA Honorable Mention All-American, in 2017 and 2018.
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