UNIVERSITY PARK — Micha Hancock was named the Mideast Region’s top freshman while three Penn State teammates were named regional All-Americans by the American Volleyball Coaches Association on Tuesday.
Hancock, the Nittany Lions’ starting setter, was named Mideast Region Freshman of the Year, the third straight season a Nittany Lion has picked up the honor and sixth time in nine years. Darcy Dorton grabbed the award in 2009 and Deja McClendon followed last season. Cassy Salyer (2003), Nicole Fawcett (2005) and Megan Hodge (2006) also earned the honor.
In addition, sophomores McClendon, Katie Slay and Ariel Scott were named to the All-Region team by the AVCA. They were among 14 athletes on the list, made mostly of Big Ten women.
The trio will be eligible for national All- America honors, which will be announced next week before the national semifinals in San Antonio, Texas.
The No. 8-seeded Nittany Lions (25-7) face No. 9 UCLA in the regional semifinals in Lexington, Ky., at 5 p.m. Friday.
