Photo by: Jason Soria
Foley, Thompson and Berran Named to AVCA All-America Teams
12/11/2024 9:01:00 AM | Volleyball
Foley named to first team, Thompson selected to second team while Berran earns honorable mention honors
LEXINGTON, Ky. – For the fifth consecutive season, multiple St. Cloud State Volleyball players have been named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-America teams, as announced by the organization on Wednesday. Fifth year outside hitter Kenzie Foley (Sergeant Bluff, Iowa) was selected to the first team, redshirt junior middle blocker Ella Thompson (Lakeville, Minn.) was picked to the second team and junior setter Emma Berran (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) was given an honorable mention nod. Foley was also named a Division-II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) First Team All-American.
This is the fifth straight season that the Huskies have had at least two players named to the AVCA All-America teams and the third time ever SCSU has had three or more All-America selections in a season (four in 2021, three in 2022).
"We are so proud of all the women that are part of Huskies volleyball right now, and in the past as they've laid the important groundwork for our current success," said head coach Chad Braegelmann, "We are especially proud of these three as they have had an absolutely outstanding season."
Foley became the first four-time All-American in program history after being named to the first team in 2021, 2023 and 2024 and the second team in 2022 by the AVCA.
Last week, for the second consecutive season, Foley was named the Central Region Player of the Year by both the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) and the Division-II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA). In addition to being named region player of the year, Foley was a first team selection by both organizations.
Foley was named the NSIC Player of the Year for the second straight season (first player in program history after becoming the first Husky to win such honors a year ago) and was selected to the All-NSIC First Team for the fourth consecutive year. Prior to the season, she was voted as the program's first ever NSIC Preseason Player of the Year. Foley was named NSIC Offensive Player of the Week six times this season, bringing her career total to 13. She was also tabbed as the AVCA Division II National Player of the Week once in 2024 (third time of career). She was also named to the NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team, NSIC Tournament All-Tournament Team, the UP North Tournament All-Tournament Team and the Yotes Classic Showdown All-Tournament Team.
In 2024, the Sergeant Bluff, Iowa native has broken several program records including career kills, career points, career double-digit kill matches, single-match kills, career double-doubles. She is also two sets away from breaking the program record for all-time sets played. Among all DII players this season, she ranked top-five in kills, kills/set and points/set while also leading the NSIC in those categories.
"Kenzie has been the face of Huskies Volleyball for a few years now and has shown such great consistency on the volleyball court," said Braegelmann, "Her ability to get big kills in the front row, her improvement as a blocker, along with her back row consistency in serve-receive and defense have made her one of the elite volleyball players in all of NCAA Division-II volleyball. As the first ever four-time All-American for Huskies Volleyball, she has become the benchmark to which all future Huskies will be measured."
Thompson became the 11th player in program history to be named an All-American, earning the honors for the first time in her career.
The redshirt junior was picked to the All-Central Region Team for the first time in her career last week. She was a first team All-Central Region selection by the AVCA and a second team all-region pick by the D2CCA in her first season playing for SCSU.
The Lakeville native was a first team All-NSIC selection and was picked as the NSIC Defensive Player of the Week once (Oct. 7). She was also named to the NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team, the NSIC Tournament All-Tournament Team and the UP North Tournament All-Tournament Team.
The middle blocker finished the regular season No. 30 among DII players in hitting percentage and is top-six among NSIC players in hitting percentage, points/set, kills/set and total kills.
"Ella, in her first year, competing as a Husky, was absolutely fantastic, having one of the highest hitting percentages in Huskies volleyball history, she was an elite point scorer as both a blocker and an attacker for us," said Braegelmann, "Her energy is contagious, and she was one of our many players that could absolutely be counted on to score points when we needed it most."
Berran is the first setter in program history to be named a multiple time All-American and became just the fourth player in program history to be named an All-American in more than one season.
Last week, the Inver Grove Heights native was picked to the first team All-Central Region by the AVCA, the second all-region honors of her career after getting an honorable mention nod last season. This season, Berran was a First Team All-NSIC pick and was named NSIC Setter of the Week once (Nov. 11). She was also selected to the NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team, the NSIC Tournament All-Tournament Team and the Yotes Classic Showdown All-Tournament Team.
The junior setter currently ranks No. 4 in career assists in program history and became the first player in SCSU Volleyball history to surpass 1,000 assists in each of her first three seasons. She finished the regular season No. 6 in assists/set and No. 7 in total assists among DII players while ranking second in both assists/set and total assists among NSIC players this season.
"Emma becomes the first player in Huskies Volleyball history to win two All-America awards as a setter," said Braegelmann, "Her unselfishness as a teammate and ability and willingness to do whatever it takes to help her attackers be great has become paramount to our success. She just does a great job of putting our attackers in fantastic spots for them to score points."
This entire group of all Americans is indicative of the fantastic women we have in our program," said Braegelmann, "It has been so fun to watch these women develop and grow and continue to pave the way for future Husky success."
One of the program's most historic and record-breaking seasons ended on Dec. 7 after falling to No. 6 and second-seeded Central Oklahoma in a five-setter in the NCAA Tournament Central Region Championship match at Halenbeck Hall.
SCSU set numerous program records including fewest losses in a season (3), longest win streak (25), highest AVCA national poll ranking (No. 2), best conference record (18-0), best 20 match start (18-2). Sixteen of the Huskies 29 wins came against teams ranke234`d/receiving votes in the AVCA Poll and all 18 of the Huskies sweeps came in the last 23 matches.
The Huskies made their fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament and 10th overall in program history while being selected to host an NCAA Division II Volleyball Regional Tournament for the first time in program history. SCSU won its third NSIC Tournament Championship in program history, while making its fifth straight NSIC Tournament Championship match and moved to 13-2 (.867) all-time in NSIC Tournament matches. It was the first time St. Cloud State hosted the NSIC semifinals/championship match. For the third time in program history the Huskies finished conference play undefeated. SCSU also became just the third NSIC team to post a perfect conference season since 2011. St. Cloud State won its fourth regular season conference championship in program history.
AVCA All-America
First Team:
Kenzie Foley
Second Team:
Ella Thompson
Honorable Mention:
Emma Berran
D2CCA All-America
First Team:
Kenzie Foley
AVCA Release
D2CCA Release
For all the latest on St. Cloud State Volleyball, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
This is the fifth straight season that the Huskies have had at least two players named to the AVCA All-America teams and the third time ever SCSU has had three or more All-America selections in a season (four in 2021, three in 2022).
"We are so proud of all the women that are part of Huskies volleyball right now, and in the past as they've laid the important groundwork for our current success," said head coach Chad Braegelmann, "We are especially proud of these three as they have had an absolutely outstanding season."
Foley became the first four-time All-American in program history after being named to the first team in 2021, 2023 and 2024 and the second team in 2022 by the AVCA.
Last week, for the second consecutive season, Foley was named the Central Region Player of the Year by both the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) and the Division-II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA). In addition to being named region player of the year, Foley was a first team selection by both organizations.
Foley was named the NSIC Player of the Year for the second straight season (first player in program history after becoming the first Husky to win such honors a year ago) and was selected to the All-NSIC First Team for the fourth consecutive year. Prior to the season, she was voted as the program's first ever NSIC Preseason Player of the Year. Foley was named NSIC Offensive Player of the Week six times this season, bringing her career total to 13. She was also tabbed as the AVCA Division II National Player of the Week once in 2024 (third time of career). She was also named to the NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team, NSIC Tournament All-Tournament Team, the UP North Tournament All-Tournament Team and the Yotes Classic Showdown All-Tournament Team.
In 2024, the Sergeant Bluff, Iowa native has broken several program records including career kills, career points, career double-digit kill matches, single-match kills, career double-doubles. She is also two sets away from breaking the program record for all-time sets played. Among all DII players this season, she ranked top-five in kills, kills/set and points/set while also leading the NSIC in those categories.
"Kenzie has been the face of Huskies Volleyball for a few years now and has shown such great consistency on the volleyball court," said Braegelmann, "Her ability to get big kills in the front row, her improvement as a blocker, along with her back row consistency in serve-receive and defense have made her one of the elite volleyball players in all of NCAA Division-II volleyball. As the first ever four-time All-American for Huskies Volleyball, she has become the benchmark to which all future Huskies will be measured."
🏆 𝐀𝐕𝐂𝐀 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐀𝐥𝐥-𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 🏆@kenziefoley08 is the 1️⃣st player in program history to become a 4️⃣-time @AVCAVolleyball All-American 👏
— St. Cloud State Volleyball (@SCSUHuskies_VB) December 11, 2024
🥇 team: 2021/2023/2024
🥈 team: 2022#HuskiesVolleyball 🏐 | #GoHuskies 🐾 pic.twitter.com/Rxin1Styk9
Thompson became the 11th player in program history to be named an All-American, earning the honors for the first time in her career.
The redshirt junior was picked to the All-Central Region Team for the first time in her career last week. She was a first team All-Central Region selection by the AVCA and a second team all-region pick by the D2CCA in her first season playing for SCSU.
The Lakeville native was a first team All-NSIC selection and was picked as the NSIC Defensive Player of the Week once (Oct. 7). She was also named to the NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team, the NSIC Tournament All-Tournament Team and the UP North Tournament All-Tournament Team.
The middle blocker finished the regular season No. 30 among DII players in hitting percentage and is top-six among NSIC players in hitting percentage, points/set, kills/set and total kills.
"Ella, in her first year, competing as a Husky, was absolutely fantastic, having one of the highest hitting percentages in Huskies volleyball history, she was an elite point scorer as both a blocker and an attacker for us," said Braegelmann, "Her energy is contagious, and she was one of our many players that could absolutely be counted on to score points when we needed it most."
🏆 𝐀𝐕𝐂𝐀 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐀𝐥𝐥-𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 🏆@ella_thompson4 is the 1️⃣1️⃣th player in program history to be named an All-American 💪
— St. Cloud State Volleyball (@SCSUHuskies_VB) December 11, 2024
She was selected to the second team by @AVCAVolleyball 🙌#HuskiesVolleyball 🏐 | #GoHuskies 🐾 pic.twitter.com/esvwsnJW92
Berran is the first setter in program history to be named a multiple time All-American and became just the fourth player in program history to be named an All-American in more than one season.
Last week, the Inver Grove Heights native was picked to the first team All-Central Region by the AVCA, the second all-region honors of her career after getting an honorable mention nod last season. This season, Berran was a First Team All-NSIC pick and was named NSIC Setter of the Week once (Nov. 11). She was also selected to the NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team, the NSIC Tournament All-Tournament Team and the Yotes Classic Showdown All-Tournament Team.
The junior setter currently ranks No. 4 in career assists in program history and became the first player in SCSU Volleyball history to surpass 1,000 assists in each of her first three seasons. She finished the regular season No. 6 in assists/set and No. 7 in total assists among DII players while ranking second in both assists/set and total assists among NSIC players this season.
"Emma becomes the first player in Huskies Volleyball history to win two All-America awards as a setter," said Braegelmann, "Her unselfishness as a teammate and ability and willingness to do whatever it takes to help her attackers be great has become paramount to our success. She just does a great job of putting our attackers in fantastic spots for them to score points."
🏆 𝐀𝐕𝐂𝐀 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐥𝐥-𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 🏆@EmmaBerran is just the 4️⃣th player in program history to be named an All-American in multiple seasons 👀
— St. Cloud State Volleyball (@SCSUHuskies_VB) December 11, 2024
She was given an honorable mention nod by @AVCAVolleyball 👊#HuskiesVolleyball 🏐 | #GoHuskies 🐾 pic.twitter.com/zLyhIPSU86
This entire group of all Americans is indicative of the fantastic women we have in our program," said Braegelmann, "It has been so fun to watch these women develop and grow and continue to pave the way for future Husky success."
One of the program's most historic and record-breaking seasons ended on Dec. 7 after falling to No. 6 and second-seeded Central Oklahoma in a five-setter in the NCAA Tournament Central Region Championship match at Halenbeck Hall.
SCSU set numerous program records including fewest losses in a season (3), longest win streak (25), highest AVCA national poll ranking (No. 2), best conference record (18-0), best 20 match start (18-2). Sixteen of the Huskies 29 wins came against teams ranke234`d/receiving votes in the AVCA Poll and all 18 of the Huskies sweeps came in the last 23 matches.
The Huskies made their fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament and 10th overall in program history while being selected to host an NCAA Division II Volleyball Regional Tournament for the first time in program history. SCSU won its third NSIC Tournament Championship in program history, while making its fifth straight NSIC Tournament Championship match and moved to 13-2 (.867) all-time in NSIC Tournament matches. It was the first time St. Cloud State hosted the NSIC semifinals/championship match. For the third time in program history the Huskies finished conference play undefeated. SCSU also became just the third NSIC team to post a perfect conference season since 2011. St. Cloud State won its fourth regular season conference championship in program history.
AVCA All-America
First Team:
Kenzie Foley
Second Team:
Ella Thompson
Honorable Mention:
Emma Berran
D2CCA All-America
First Team:
Kenzie Foley
AVCA Release
D2CCA Release
For all the latest on St. Cloud State Volleyball, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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