Clothier, Cullen earn AVCA All-Region honors

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Clothier, Cullen Earn AVCA All-Region Honors

DALLAS (SMU)- Emma Clothier was named an American Volleyball Coaches Association All-South Region Team selection, and Celia Cullen was an Honorable Mention, the AVCA announced on Tuesday.

After an impressive season, Clothier was tabbed as the American Athletic Conference Player of the Year. Clothier recorded 320 kills on .384 hitting, ranking second in the league and top-35 in the nation. The graduate middle blocker finished the regular season recording 308 kills, 112 blocks, and 21 aces. Clothier was named the AVCA National Player of the Week after starting league play, hitting .800 with 12 kills in SMU's sweep over Memphis. She tallied 17 kills on .576 hitting and 13 on .500 hitting in back-to-back matches at UTSA. Clothier tallied at least eight kills on .300 or better hitting in 24 games this season, including at least 12 kills on .500 or better hitting seven times, and three more matches with 11 kills on at least .400 hitting. The Carrollton, Texas, native appeared on the AAC Weekly Honor Roll twice, was named the Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 25, and earned the honor on the defensive side on Nov. 20.

Cullen was named the AAC Setter of the Year after finishing the regular season, ranking first in the league in assists per set and second in total assists. The senior setter passed out 1,207 total assists (26th nationally) and 10.59 per set (20th nationally). Cullen led the Mustangs in assists in all 33 matches and turned in six double-doubles. Cullen recorded a season-high 58 assists against Florida Atlantic on Oct. 8 while also eclipsing 3,000 career assists. Cullen earned All-Tournament Honors at the Stacey Clark Classic.

SMU finished the season with a 26-7 overall record and won the American Athletic Conference championship. The Mustangs finished the season with the best conference winning percentage in program history (.947).