Benson, Walker garner All-American accolades

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Annie Benson and Beth Walker were both named third team All-Americans in an announcement made today by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

Symone Faulkner earned honorable mention All-Americans honors.

Benson became the fifth player in Bellevue University history to be named the conference's Player of the Year. Benson notched 16 double-doubles and led the Bruins with 418 kills and ranked second in digs (453). She finished fourth in school history with 1,513 career kills.

Walker finished second in the NAIA with 1,735 total assists and ranked fifth with 11.3 assists/set. She also recorded 394 digs, 154 kills, 70 blocks, 44 service aces and a team-best 17 double-doubles. She was named the NAIA National Player of the Week on Nov. 5.

Faulkner led the team in blocks (135) and hitting percentage (.322). She also ranked third on the team in kills with 365. Faulkner was named the MCAC Hitter of the Week three times.

University of Texas at Brownsville outside hitter Danica Markovic was named the 2013 AVCA NAIA National Player of the Year.

The Bruins finished the 2013 season with a 34-9 overall record and advanced to the NAIA National Tournament for the seventh-straight season.

2013 AVCA NAIA Player of the Year:  Danica Markovic, Texas-Brownsville
2013 AVCA NAIA Freshman of the Year: Brooke Wolterstorff, Dordt

2013 AVCA NAIA First-Team All-Americans
Chelsee Arnitz, Biola
Gracee Gallarda, Biola
Amy Weststeyn, Biola
Trinity Ojo, Columbio (Mo.)
Jessica Israel, Concordia (Calif.)
Le Mi, Concordia University (Calif.)
Emilie Freeman, Madonna
Evia Prierditis, Madonna
Kaitlin Floerchinger, Northwestern (Iowa)
Kristin Pressley, Oklahoma Baptist
Wanessa Siqueira, Park
Vanja Joksic, Texas-Brownsville
Danica Markovic, Texas-Brownsville
Shahala Hawkins, Wayland Baptist

2013 AVCA NAIA Second-Team All-Americans   
Madison Ekis, Concordia (Calif.)
Caraline Maher, Georgetown (Ky.)
Kadie Subbert, Grand View
Rae Brandes, Indiana Wesleyan
Sarah Becker, Jamestown
Kailey Moorhead, Lindsey Wilson
Samantha Dougherty, The Master's
Vladi Kopanarova, MidAmerica Nazarene
Megan Farley, Midland
Mackenzie Scheef, Midland
Abby Nicholas, MSU-Northern
Brooke Fessler, Northwestern (Iowa)
Ana Guerra, Texas-Brownsville
Alicia Olson, Viterbo

2013 AVCA NAIA Third-Team All-Americans
Annie Benson, Bellevue
Beth Walker, Bellevue
Joclyn Kirton, Biola
Cailie Johnson, Cornerstone
Kamrin Gold, Culver Stockton
Kayla Gesink, Dordt
Casey Loper, Eastern Oregon
Denise Atualevao, Graceland
Kristine Egebrecht, Indiana Wesleyan
Lauren Purdy, Park
Yang Yang, Rocky Mountain
Jessica Wiltjer, Trinity Christian
Jessica Neves, Vanguard
Grecia Rivera, Wayland Baptist