[Volleyball] Naake Earns AVCA NAIA All-Region Nod

WICHITA, Kan. – Friends University senior MB Samantha Naake has been selected to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) NAIA All-West Central Region team, the organization has announced.

"We are excited Sammie's hard work this season continues to make waves as she has been selected to AVCA All-Region level," Friends head coach Martin Ayin said. "It's a testament of her work ethic and character as a member of our program."

Naake, a first-team All-KCAC performer this season, enjoyed a breakthrough senior campaign and gave the Falcons an elite hitting option.

A native of Woodland, Calif., Naake was tops on the team and tied for third in the league this season with 3.1 kills per set. She was also third in the conference with a .311 hitting percentage.

Defensively, Naake was also a big factor and finished second on the Falcons and tied for eighth in the KCAC with 0.8 blocks per set.

Naake helped the Falcons secure the sixth seed this season in the KCAC postseason tournament with a 7-5 conference mark.  Friends swept Avila University in its first tourney match before falling in a 3-2 heartbreaker to third-seeded Ottawa University that saw Naake forced to depart late in the fourth set due to an injury with the Falcons on top 2-1 overall.

Even with the early exit, Naake still led the Falcons with 12 kills and also had four solo blocks vs. Ottawa.

Naake recorded 20 or more kills in a match four times this season, including a career-high 22 kills in a 3-2 victory over Tabor College (9/21).  

For the official AVCA release, click HERE