2011 AVCA All-America
Megan Campbell, Third-Team
Rachel Krabacher, Honorable Mention
Samantha Selsky, Honorable Mention
[Complete list of AVCA All-America teams]

All-America Photo Gallery | Dayton’s All-Americans

SAN ANTONIO – Three University of Dayton volleyball student-athletes were named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-America list released on Wednesday – the most to be named in one season for UD. Sophomore middle blocker Megan Campbell was listed on the third team, while junior outside hitter Rachel Krabacher and junior setter Samantha Selsky were classified as honorable mentions. 

It is the first All-America recognition for all three of Dayton’s student-athletes, while the program continues its streak of at least one All-American in the past nine seasons. Dayton has a total of 11 AVCA All-America players and five under fourth-year Head Coach Kelly Sheffield.

“These are great honors, not only for Megan, Rachel, and Sam, but for our whole program,” Sheffield said. “They would be the first ones to thank their teammates, their assistant coaches for all of the extra work, and (strength coach) Mark Thobe for the work he puts in year-round to help them reach their dreams and potential.”

Campbell is currently one of two players in the nation to rank in the top 15 in hitting percentage and blocks per set. The Versailles, Ohio native ranks fourth in the nation in hitting percentage and 11th in blocks per set. Campbell is a four-time A-10 Defensive or Offensive Player of the Week and features 15 matches with five or more blocks. Her .412 hitting percentage is the second-highest in program history during a single-season. Against nationally ranked opponents this season, Campbell registered a .320 hitting percentage with 1.27 blocks per set.

“Anybody who watched the team play this year knows what kind of year Megan had this year,” Sheffield continued. “Statistically it was as good of a season as any player who has ever worn a Flyer jersey, and her stats against elite teams were as good as any middle in the country. She loves to compete as much as any player I've ever been around. Every player on this team has a funny Megan Campbell competition story. When it's on the line, whether it's in a match or in a practice, she becomes so incredibly focused and possessed – and that is every single play every single day. After our season ended she came into my office and told me how much work she needs to do – in everything. A lot of players don't want to talk about the things they have to do to become great – Megan searches for that information, she needs it! And that is why she has turned herself into one of the best middle blockers in the country in only her second season.”

Campbell was also named AVCA All-Region, Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team, Atlantic 10 All-Championship Team and the Capital One Academic All-District V First Team.

Krabacher led the conference in kills per set and points per set all season en route to earning 2011 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year honors. Nationally, the Cincinnati native ranks 16th in kills per set and 20th in points per set. With a career-high 500 kills this season, she became the first Flyer since 2005 to record 500 or more total kills in one season. Krabacher is a four-time A-10 Offensive Player of the Week and led the Flyers with 13 double-doubles. In addition to her on-court honors, Krabacher was named A-10 Academic All-Conference and to the Capital One Academic All-District V Second Team.
 
“Rachel became a complete player for us this year,” Sheffield said. “She did it all for us, like great outsides are able to do. We ask a lot out of her – to be a great all-around player and to excel at everything. That's not too much to ask, is it? But you can see how much fun she is having and the confidence she has in her own abilities continues to grow. This year every single team was game planning to stop her, for the first time she was the focal point of defenses. But yet her numbers and effectiveness took off this year. I am really excited and looking forward to Rachel's senior year.”

Selsky guided the Flyer offense to set a program-record .280 hitting percentage and was named 2011 Atlantic 10 Setter of the Year. Selsky led the A-10 in assists per set and was named to the A-10 All-Conference First Team and All-Championship Team. The Manhattan Beach, Calif., native was the first Division I player to record a triple-double this season with 10 kills, 13 digs and 44 assists at No. 7 Illinois. Selsky has nine double-doubles, along with 11 matches with four or more blocks.

“In 12 months Sam transformed herself from an average collegiate setter to one of the best in the country,” Sheffield said. “There might not have been a more improved player in college volleyball than Sammie. Her and I met at the end of last spring and laid it all out on the line. From that point on, I've never seen a more dramatic change, an absolute complete buy-in and total dedication from a player, to try and become the type of player and person that they could be. As a coach, you live for these things. A year ago Sam was just going with the flow and now there is a tremendous urgency from her. She loves playing this game, she loves being around this team, and right now she is as confident as she's ever been in her life and it's because she knows deep in her soul that nobody is out-working her.”

It is the second consecutive season in which Dayton has had multiple All-Americans. Last season Lindsay Fletemier was named to the second-team and Jessica Yanz was named honorable mention.

Dayton (25-7, 14-1 A-10) ended its season in the First Round of the NCAA Championship – its fifth consecutive trip to the postseason. The Flyers won 21 of their last 23 matches, including third-consecutive Atlantic 10 regular season and tournament titles. UD is slated to return 11 of 12 players – including all three All-America selections.

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